DANCING AT LUGHNASA FOR KILCULLEN IN FEBRUARY

Image: Kilcullen Drama Group.

Dancing at Lughnasa has been announced as the next play to be presented by Kilcullen Drama Group, writes Brian Byrne. The play was revealed at last evening's Open Casting call, which was very well attended in the Town Hall.

The group has thanked those who came for last night's readings, describing it as a brilliant turnout of both existing and new members. "Our Director has some tough decisions to make following the incredible display of talent."

The play, written by Brian Friel, is set in Donegal in the summer of 1936 and is loosely based on the lives of Friel's mother and aunts who lived in Glenties.

Written in 1990, the play has a string of awards to its credit, including the 1991 Olivier Award for Best Play of the Year and the 1992 Tony Award for Best Play.

It was last performed by the Kilcullen group in 2011.   The new production will be in February of 2027.

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EIR SWITCHING OFF ITS 3G NETWORK

Eir will begin retiring its 3G network in Kildare on 14 October, as part of a nationwide effort to enhance 4G and 5G services. The switch-off is happening in phases across all counties. 

Most customers, who already use 4G and 5G, will not be affected. However, a small number of 3G-only users have been contacted with instructions to upgrade, such as updating device settings or obtaining a free SIM card. Calls and texts will remain unaffected, and customers can seek assistance at eir.ie/3Gswitchoff/ or in stores. 

This move aligns with an industry trend towards faster technologies.

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PICNIC TABLE VANDALISM

You have to feel sorry for the people who so lack a sense of their community that they try to destroy facilities provided by that community through the Tidy Towns efforts.

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BRANNOXTOWN CNS CHANGE OF OPEN EVENING DATE

Brannoxtown CNS is hosting an Open Evening for prospective Junior Infants on Monday, 19 October, from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. PLEASE NOTE: This is a change of date from the original notice.

The event will showcase the school’s unique qualities, including its caring and child-centred approach, breakfast club, after-school care, and emphasis on teamwork, ambition, and active, playful learning with high expectations. 

Brannoxtown CNS is a multi-denominational school located in Kildare and Wicklow, supported by the Bord Oideachais agus Oiliúna. For more information, visit brannoxtowncns.ie.

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MASS FOR LYNDA NOLAN

A Mass to celebrate the life of the late Lynda Nolan will be said on Saturday next, at 11am, in Kilcullen Parish Church. 

Formerly of The Hermitage, Kilcullen, Lynda passed away on 19 August, after a brief illness. She was laid to rest in Esker Lawn Cemetery, Lucan.

AFC FUN RUN

A reminder that Kilcullen AFC is hosting a Fun Run on this coming Sunday, 11 October 2026, starting at 11am from the clubhouse in Kilcullen. 

Participants can choose between a 5K or 10K race. The first 200 registrants for the 5K will receive a bespoke pin, while the first 70 registrants for the 10K will receive a bespoke medal. 

Registration is currently open. 

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HAVE YOU SEEN FIGARO?

This is Figaro, who has been missing for two days from his home at Killinane, near Halverstown School. Contact Andreea Si Andrei on Facebook. 

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DRAMA GROUP AUDITIONS

A reminder that Kilcullen Drama Group is holding an open casting call TODAY, Wednesday, 7 October, at 7:30pm at Kilcullen Town Hall for their February 2027 production. 

They welcome both new and experienced actors, and people for backstage or technical roles. No prior experience needed, just a little passion and a sense of fun.  

Rehearsals will run from October to February. For more information or to register interest, contact 087 4707652.

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THE PASSING OF JIM KEOGH

The death has occurred of Jim (Prof) Keogh, Conroy Park, Kilcullen, suddenly at his residence.

Predeceased by his parents Patrick and Sheila and his brother Paddy, Jim will be sadly missed by his sister Sheila, brother-in-law Noel, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, relatives, friends and neighbours, especially Martina & Stephen.

Jim will be reposing at his residence on Wednesday 7 October from 4pm until conclusion of prayers at 7pm. Removal from there on Thursday 8 October to The Church Of The Sacred Heart & St Brigid, Kilcullen, arriving for 11.30am funeral mass, which may be viewed on this link. The mass will be followed by burial in St Brigid's Cemetery, Kilcullen.

May Jim Rest In Peace.

PARISH LOTTO DRAW RESULTS

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on 6th October 2026 were 17, 20, 27 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 €10,000.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws are Dick Dunphy (Promoter Vivian Clarke), Caroline O’Gorman (Mick Dunne) and Francesca Broughall (Francesca Broughall).

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

The Parish thanks all who support the Lotto.

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COMMUNITY GROUPS AND SERVICES FOR KILCULLEN EXHIBITION

At least 19 organisations have confirmed their attendance at the Know Your Community Exhibition, planned for Kilcullen Community Centre on the coming Friday, 9 October, writes Brian Byrne. The event is hosted by Kildare Leader Partnership and runs from 11am-2pm.

Those taking part include The Old Hardware, Narraghmore; Small Jobs Kildare; Dúlra Cill Dara Forest School; Blueway Art Studio; Lullymore Heritage; Kildare Community Gardai; Kilcullen Drama Group; KARE; Age Friendly Kildare; Moone Timolin Women’s Circle; GROW Mental Health; Citizen’s Information; Volunteer Kildare; Leinster Print; SEAI; Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP); Kildare Leader; Age Action; and the Griese Youth Theatre. 

This event offers a valuable opportunity for the community to engage with these organisations. There is still time for other local groups, organisations, and services to take part: contact Rioana at Rioana@countykildarelp.ie or phone 086 8252120.

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LOOKING BACK: WHEN THE RUC PATROLLED KILCULLEN

On a Thursday morning in October 1983, motorists in Kilcullen were surprised to encounter an RUC roadblock and armed officers checking cars, writes Brian Byrne. Phone calls to the newsroom of the Leinster Leader (there was no social media then!) expressed outrage from some people that the Northern Ireland police were being allowed to operate in the south.

When Leader reporter John Lynch and a photographer arrived at the scene, they discovered the roadblock was a film set for Cal, based on Bernard McLaverty’s novella. The film, directed by Pat O’Connor and starring Ray McAnnally, John Lynch (NOT the Leader's man), and Helen Mirren, was shooting scenes involving RUC men directing traffic. 

In the story, resurrected by our regular correspondent, old newspapers burrower Joe Murray, it transpired that the production company had kept advance knowledge to local gardaí only, in order not to have crowds along to watch. 

The film, produced by Warner Brothers, was released the following year and was entered into the 1984 Cannes Film Festival, where Mirren won the award for Best Actress. Most of the movie was filmed in locations in Drogheda.

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NATIONAL WOMEN'S ENTERPRISE DAY

National Women’s Enterprise Day 2026 will celebrate female entrepreneurship with the theme Going Global – Her Way, highlighting Irish women expanding internationally. A County Kildare event, hosted by Sonya Lennon, will feature Marissa Carter of Cocoa Brown and Therese Murphy of Equi-Ed, winner of the 2026 National Enterprise Award Female Entrepreneur Award. 

It will take place on Thursday, 15 October 2026, at Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge. Those attending will gain insights and advice from these successful entrepreneurs. 

Early booking is advised due to limited spaces. For more information and to secure a spot, visit the Local Enterprise Office - Kildare website. 

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OPEN DAY AT ST JOSEPH'S

St Joseph’s NS, Halverstown, is hosting a Halloween Open Day for incoming junior infants for September 2027.

The event is on Thursday, 15 October, from 1:15pm to 2:30pm. 

It will feature stories, sweet treats, and lots of fun.

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