Dowling Property: 'Cún Na Gréine', Whitehouse, Ballyshannon

Welcome To Cún Na Gréine. Dowling Property is delighted to present to the market this superb 4-bedroom, detached country home for sale. This fabulous home is approached via an electric gated entrance and sits on a sunny south-facing site which extends to c.0.72 acres. Located in the heart of Kildare just south of Kilcullen with direct access to the M9 just c.5 minutes drive away.

Presented in good decorative order throughout with accommodation extending to c.186 sq mt and also boasting a very healthy B3 energy rating. The feature list is impressive and boasts a large master bedroom with en-suite, along with a second bedroom en-suite, sun room and utility, making it ideal for family living.

The features continue externally with a detached 'granny flat' annex which is a welcome addition to any home. The site is private, mature and south facing and also features a recently built wooden cabin which is ideal as a children's playroom or den. This fine chain-free home is located on a quiet local access road and is ideal for dog walking and enjoying the surrounding countryside views. With its highly sought-after location, and spacious accommodation, we must now advise on early viewings to avoid disappointment. A true gem!

AMV - €545,000; www.dowlingproperty.ie; Call Kilcullen Office-045-482189.

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It Says in The Bridge - April 2025

Two highlight Kilcullen events lead off this latest Bridge, writes Brian Byrne. The signing of a new lease which puts the Community Centre on a secure footing for generations and the latest CPC TY Musical, Grease, where the latest generation of our young people step it out on stage with enthusiasm, skill and colour. Both stories preview full reports inside, the students' presentation meriting the magazine's centre spread.

Also in colour this month are a preview of Kilcullen Drama Group's Lieutenant of Inishmore, which will likely entertain full houses, so book your tickets now. There's a parade of pictures from Kilcullen Photography Club on the theme of Nature, and the colourful Bit of Business from Gillian Rea this month is about local entrepreneur Lynda Murphy's Sonny Bear children's clothing emporium, now bricks and mortar as well as online.

Back on the drama topic, Mary Orford looks through the newspapers about the early days of amateur productions in Kilcullen, some of which made news far beyond what was then a small village. The piece is a time capsule about local entertainment and talented enthusiasts who laid the foundations for those giving us today's much appreciated plays.

In people stories, a report on Ned Kelly's 70th birthday celebrations recalls old skills still needed today. Rani Grennell tells all about her appearance on First Dates Ireland. Joe O'Connor answers 20 Questions. And Noreen Dowling gives us an account of a bride's wedding day dental emergency. 

Our regulars continue to be busy at their keyboards. Daithí de Róiste highlights Pollardstown Fen as a place to relax in nature. Sean Landers continues his Somerville-Large chronicles with some revelations about the influence of Maria La Touche at Carnalway. Billy Redmond, inter alia, muses on Brendan Behan and what might have happened if the eminent writer had the benefit of a higher education? Noel Clare, meanwhile, is treated to an unexpected Royal Canal barge trip in Out & Away from Kilcullen. The contributions from the Creative Writers Group this month are a humorous piece from Julie O'Donoghue and a poem from Anne Gaynor. 

The pre-school and primary school pages are as usual full of the day to day fascinating things which Kilcullen's youngsters get to do in and out of class

Another month, another Bridge, another serving of slices of Kilcullen life. Usual outlets, usual €2.

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Newbridge Walk in the Park for Parkinsons

Image: Parkinson's Ireland.

A reminder that a Walk in the Park for Parkinson's will be held TODAY Saturday 5 April in Moorefield GAA Club in Newbridge, writes Brian Byrne. The walk this year starts at 1.30pm and will kick off Parkinson’s Awareness Month.

The event will be one of 15 locations taking part across the country to support Parkinson's Ireland. This is the charity’s annual flagship fundraiser and their main fundraiser for the year. 

By taking part you will be raising awareness around Parkinson's and for the essential services provided by Parkinson’s Ireland.

There's also a strong community support in a fun day out for Parkinson's Ireland members, their loved ones, and the public. By participating, you contribute to raising awareness about Parkinson’s as a condition and promoting better care and support for those living with the condition and their families.

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Lions Whist a week early

The Kilcullen Lions April Whist is on this coming Thursday, 10 April, a week earlier than usual to avoid taking place on Holy Thursday. 

Usual time and venue, 8pm in Scoil Bhríde.

All card players welcome.

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CPC students do #SameChance walk

More than 200 students at CPC took part in a Same Chance Walk for Autism around the GAA Field of Dreams this morning, writes Brian Byrne. Afterwards they assembled in the playing fields to form the words 'As I Am', representing the AsIAm charity that supports people with Autism and their families.

Image courtesy CPC.

The 1st Year and TY classes doing the walk were accompanied by teachers and students from the Autism classes. The walk was stewarded by the TY Prefects. Last year's Prefect group were presented with a national award in October for the innovative Buddy Club initiative introduced at the college during the 2023-2024 year, which involved them spending time with students of the Autism classes at social times and organising parties and other events. 

A selection of the Diary's photos are shown here, all the photographs are available at this link.

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Annoyance at Kavanagh bus cut

There was a significant degree of annoyance this morning as a group of passengers for the 6.50am 717 Kavanagh bus service to Dublin were told it wouldn't be coming through Kilcullen from Monday next, writes Brian Byrne. The company announced the cessation of all pickups between Kilkenny and Red Cow Dublin earlier this week in a 'streamlining' of the Clonmel to Dublin Airport route.

"That's going to make things very difficult for me," one waiting woman passenger told the Diary. "It's awkward enough using public transport as it is." Another passenger takes the bus to Naas every morning when his roster is the early shift at the coffee shop where he works. "I have to be in before eight o'clock on those days, so it's rather annoying. The 717 is the only viable one for me, especially at weekends."

Kilcullen is one of three County Kildare stops to be removed from the service along with Athy and Naas. In all, eight stops are being eliminated across three counties and the northbound service will be non-stop from Kilkenny City to Red Cow Dublin and afterwards to Dublin City and Dublin Airport.

The move means there's no direct service to Dublin Airport in the mornings from Kilcullen as the two 130 services terminate at Merrion Square West in Dublin City at 7.57am and 8.59am respectively.

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