Proposal to decoratively link lanes

More decorative use of the Town Hall laneway is planned, following a decision by Kilcullen Community Action to allocate money for seasonal decorations, writes Brian Byrne. The matter was raised at the July meeting of the group.

Antoinette Buckley noted that some Christmas and Easter decorations had been put in the lane in previous years, but none last year, except for a small Halloween element. She suggested that money previously used for one-off seasonal art installations might be better spent on quality decorations for the laneway that could be used year after year for the different seasons.

The discussion evolved into suggestions that the lane across the road, leading down by Fallons, could also be similarly decorated, visually linking it with the Town Hall and the improved public realm area in downtown Kilcullen.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Women's cricket team planned for Halverstown

It has taken a little while — 141 years to be precise — but Halverstown is now hoping to field an adult female cricket team. Recent years have seen an explosion in cricket at the club, moving from one league team and a social team to two league teams, a social team, and five youth teams. The youth teams do include two girls’ teams: Under 13 and Under 15, both shared with North Kildare. However, Halverstown now hopes to go one step further and field a women’s team.  

To this end, Secretary Stuart Conroy has been putting out a message that there will be an information evening at 7pm on Thursday, 30 July, together with some basic coaching, to be held at the Halverstown cricket ground at Brannockstown. “The idea is to get enough numbers to form a team, have a couple of coaching/rules sessions in August, and play our first women’s game in September."   

Chairman Des Drumm added, “This has been a long time coming, but we feel now that the time is right. Moreover, Cricket Leinster is pushing for all clubs to have a women’s section, particularly since the Women’s national team is doing so well. It will also create a pathway for the next step up from the youth teams that we have. No experience of cricket is necessary!”  

Stuart added, “The ground is at W91 T8P3, and we suggest those interested come along no earlier than 6.45pm, when the gate will be opened. Just proceed straight through and past the house to the cricket pitch behind it, where our clubhouse is situated. We look forward to interest in what is a growing part of the sport.”  

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Orange fire risk warning

A Status Orange high fire risk warning has been issued for County Kildare, effective from 12 noon on 20 July 2026 until 12 noon on Friday 24 July.

The alert follows a prolonged spell of dry weather, which has left grass, heather and gorse highly flammable and increased the danger of wildfires, including underground peat fires on bogs. While overall temperatures are forecast to be lower, soil moisture levels continue to fall, and larger fuel types are now more likely to burn, making fires harder to control. Winds in some areas may exceed 20km/h at times, further worsening fire behaviour.

Kildare Fire Service is urging the public not to light barbecues or outdoor fires in forests or recreational areas, and to fully extinguish barbecues used at home. Landowners are reminded that burning growing vegetation on uncultivated land is illegal between 1 March and 31 August and must comply with all restrictions on land burning.

People visiting rural and recreational areas are asked to park considerately so emergency vehicles can access sites if needed, and to be especially vigilant in areas with dry vegetation. The public is advised not to approach or attempt to extinguish fires themselves.

Anyone who sees a fire is urged to call 999 or 112 immediately, move to a safe location, and provide clear details of the fire’s location, size, wind direction and proximity to homes or forestry. Suspicious or illegal activity should be reported to An Garda Síochána.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Camphill celebration of achievements

Participants in the My Dream Job programme with their certificates.

An event on Thursday to present certificates to Camphill clients participating in the My Dream Job programme was "a celebration of how far everybody has come", according to the programme manager, Emma Jane Meredith, writes Brian Byrne. A total of 79 certificates were presented to 21 participants in the project, designed to provide work experience and personal development opportunities for Camphill clients.

Adding that the programme "opens doors and empowers and supports the dreams of everyone taking part", Emma Jane noted that the initiative during the past year had involved eight workshops, several work experience opportunities, and 12 weeks of social farming. The workshops included sessions on confidence building, effective communications, and first aid and CPR training. 

Four of the local service users of Camphill took part in work experience opportunities during the year, in JYSK in Naas, St Brigid's NS in Kildare town, An Post, and Mr Price. 

Farmer Fergal Byrne with Emma Jane Meredith of My Dream Job, and participants in the Social Farming segment.

With the support of Social Farming Ireland, four of the Camphill group did a 12-week stint working at Fergal Byrne's farm in Calverstown. It was the second year for some of them, and in addition to the certificates presented to the participants, a special presentation was made to Fergal in appreciation of his support.

Annie Shiffer, presenting the Employer of the Year award to Caroline Nash of Russborough House, with project manager Emma Jane Meredith.

A presentation to mark the Employer of the Year was made to Russborough House & Gardens, represented at the event by Caroline Nash. Annie Shiffer, making the presentation, related how she had initially undertaken work experience at the popular Blessington visitor attraction, and afterwards was offered paid employment, a transition she said has made "a huge difference" to her life and confidence. On behalf of the group, Annie also thanked Emma Jane Meredith for her work on the My Dream Job programme.

Those who received certificates were Karolina Karolak, Eimear Ryan, Lukasz Cisowski, Liam Dermody, Tavian Dolan, Lynden Healy, Evan Bowes, Karen Bourke, Annie Shiffer, Stuart O’Neill, Holly Pallister, Laura Dunne, Maggie Ellison, Christine Malone, Paula Kelly, Liam Mc Donnell, Jack O’Callaghan, Michelle Hughes, Alan Beale, David Moore, and Esther Loakman.

Among those present were last year's recipients of the Employer of the Year award, David Hogan and his wife, Salima, who operate the nearby An Tearmann café, and Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon TD.

Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon with Stuart O'Neill and his certificate.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Rugby summer camp

Newbridge Rugby Club has announced its Summer Camp 2026 for boys and girls aged 6 to 12. The camp runs from Monday, 17 August to Friday, 21 August, from 10am to 1pm each day. 

Places are limited to 60 and cost €80 per child. Fully accredited and vetted coaches, overseen by the club’s Leinster Rugby CCRO, will lead the sessions, and each participant will receive a complimentary T-shirt. 

For more information or to book, visit this link. 

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Brazil families celebrate in Kilcullen garden

My name is Roberta, and I am from São Paulo, Brazil. My little one, Lorenzo (4 years old), and my husband, Tivadar, have been living in Kilcullen since 2023. 

I have been living in Ireland since 2017. Although the Irish people are very friendly, I am still searching for fellow Brazilians to help me cope with homesickness and to pass on our culture, language, and traditions to our little one. 

To my knowledge, there are around 23 Brazilian families in Kilcullen. Today [Saturday], at our party in the library, we met [Brazilian] people from Kilcullen, Kildare, Newbridge, and Monasterevin.

I owe a great deal to the Kilcullen community. I truly feel at home here and am very grateful to you all. I especially want to thank Martín and Ita today, who were very kind to let us meet up in the library.

The Festa Junina celebrates the bountiful harvest and honours three Catholic saints: Saint Anthony (13th June), Saint John (24th June), and Saint Peter (29th June). The tradition also has origins in ancient European summer solstice celebrations, blending religiosity, bonfires, square dances, and typical foods.

Brought by Portuguese colonisers, the celebration gained a strong national identity by mixing Catholic faith with elements of indigenous and Afro-Brazilian cultures, as well as emphasising rural life and cuisine.

The event has become one of the most vibrant cultural festivals in the country, renowned for its checkered costumes, colourful flags, fairs, and dishes made with corn and peanuts.

Nowadays, the religious aspect is less prominent, but the festivities still continue.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

New downtown planters-seats coming soon

Five new planters with seats for the new footpath areas in downtown Kilcullen will be delivered at the end of July, the recent meeting of Kilcullen Community Action heard, writes Brian Byrne. Their positioning will be decided by the Kildare-Newbridge MD Area Engineer.

Each planter is large enough to hold a tree, and will have seats on both sides, meeting chair Noel Clare said, adding that it was 'great' that they will arrive shortly.

Their placement will involve managing sightlines and also their position in relation to the bus stop and the upcoming pedestrian crossing.

There was some further discussion on the need to meet with businesses in the area on the kind and placement of their own, more casual street furniture.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Scoil Bhride staff car parking expanded

Fourteen extra staff car parking spaces were laid out at Scoil Bhride this week.

The school was first opened in 1980, on a site provided by the Cross and Passion sisters, following the amalgamation of the former Boys and Girls primary schools. At that time, there were 16 teachers.

In 2015, a new extension added 10 classrooms, a large assembly hall, and an autism spectrum unit. The original 1980 building was fully updated with new floors, roofs, and a new office area. 

Today, there are over 750 pupils attending Scoil Bhride and a teaching staff complement of 42, including ten special education teachers.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Halverstown CC launching women's team

Halverstown Cricket Club is launching a new women’s team as part of the club’s latest expansion. 

To kick things off, the club is hosting an information and coaching evening on Thursday, 30 July at 7pm at its Brannockstown ground. The event will outline plans for the new side and offer a chance to meet coaches, ask questions, and get involved. 

All abilities are welcome as the club opens a new chapter. Contact Stuart Conroy on 086 1613353 for more information.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy