KCA planting at Pinkeen bridge

This short video was shot by Gareth Landy, where Noel Clare of Kilcullen Community Action explains what planting they're doing at Pinkeen Bridge.

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'Bin It!' gum roadshow returning this summer

Improperly discarded chewing gum is responsible for 8.6 per cent of all litter nationally, members of Kildare County Council were told at the May full meeting, writes Brian Byrne. That represents a continued downward trend in the issue, from more than a quarter of all litter 20 years ago.

The information was in response to a motion from Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer seeking a council-initiated social media public awareness and educational campaign against the improper disposal of chewing gum, “Wrap It and Bin It”. The meeting heard that the National Gum Litter Taskforce (GLT) is responsible for developing and implementing an awareness campaign to reduce littered gum by encouraging the public to dispose of their gum responsibly.

The response noted that, according to GLT research, 92 per cent of people now report properly disposing of their chewing gum, while 85 per cent of 16–34-year-olds now view littering as socially unacceptable. Men are still more likely than women to improperly dispose of chewed gum, the research shows.

A GLT school roadshow 'Bin It!' will return to County Kildare this year, the location yet to be finalised. The meeting was told that, as part of this roadshow, the council will promote the gum awareness campaign via its social media channels. The GLT will also undertake an extensive media campaign across all platforms, including outdoor, digital, TV, and radio advertising. 

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Garda holiday road safety campaign begins

An Garda Síochána in Kildare has launched a major road safety operation for the June Bank Holiday weekend, running from Thursday 28 May to Tuesday 2 June 2026, writes Brian Byrne. Ahead of the busy holiday period, drivers are urged to slow down, put their phones away and never drive under the influence. 

Enforcement activity will be significantly increased across the county, targeting so‑called “Lifesaver Offences” including drink and drug driving, speeding, mobile phone use while driving, seatbelt offences, and dangerous or careless driving.

The operation will focus on the times and locations where the risk of serious collisions is highest. Gardaí are warning that motorists who choose to drink or take drugs and drive, speed, or use their phone behind the wheel should expect to be stopped.

Gardai stress that one bad decision can have devastating consequences for families, communities and emergency services.

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Hurling for Third Classes in Scoil Bhride

Third Class pupils in Scoil Bhríde have been enjoying hurling training over recent weeks, with the support of South Kildare Shamrocks. A club mentor, assisted by a Transition Year student, has been visiting the school to introduce the children to the skills of the game. 

Over the last three to four weeks, all four Third Class groups have taken part in the sessions, learning the basics of hurling in a fun and active way. 

The South Kildare Shamrocks have thanked the school and the teachers involved for providing this opportunity and helping to organise and support the coaching programme.

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Tess Lambe elected to Royal Irish Academy

Prof Teresa Lambe speaking to CPC students in November 2024.

Kilcullen-born scientist Prof Teresa Lambe has been elected as an Honorary Member of the Royal Irish Academy, writes Sean Landers. The daughter of Mary and Tony Lambe of Nicholastown, her election is announced in the current newsletter of the RIA, among 29 new members.

People are admitted to the Academy, the highest academic honour in Ireland, for their exceptional contribution to the sciences, humanities and social sciences as well as to public service. Members are elected by their peers in recognition of outstanding scholarly achievement and their contribution to knowledge and society.

The citation reads: Teresa Lambe OBE FMedSci is Professor of Vaccinology and Immunology at the University of Oxford. An internationally recognised expert in translational vaccinology, she co-designed the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in 2020. Her research continues to shape responses to epidemic threats, with multiple vaccines from her group selected for WHO ring vaccination strategies. Her expertise readily combines discovery science with experimental medicine to enable translational impact.

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Badminton Summer Club retarting

Kilcullen Badminton Club has announced the launch of its Summer Club, beginning on Tuesday, 2 June, at Kilcullen Community Centre. The club will run twice weekly throughout the summer, with sessions every Tuesday from 8–11pm and every Thursday from 8–10pm.

Players of all levels are welcome to attend, with a pay-as-you-go fee of €7 per night. All participants must be Badminton Ireland registered. 

Further updates and information will be shared through the club’s usual channels on social media.

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Parish Lotto Draw results

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on 26th May 2026 were 7, 8, 24 and 27. 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 €6,200.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws are Dexter Flynn (Promoter Kathy Flynn), Maire McDaid (Wednesday Bridge Club) and Adrian Dunne (Claire Dunne).

The winners of the Promoters Draw were Fr Niall Mackey and Berney’s Chemist, and the winner of the draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Siobhan Tuite.

The Parish thanks all who support the Lotto.

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Camp Kilcullen at Scoil Bhride

Camp Kilcullen is set to return this summer, offering five days of fun-filled activities at Scoil Bhríde. Running from Monday, 29 June to Friday, 3 July, the camp will operate from 9:30am to 2pm each day, extended times compared to previous years. 

Open to children from Junior Infants to 6th Class, the camp welcomes not only Scoil Bhríde pupils but also their cousins and friends from other schools.

A wide range of activities includes sports, art and crafts, fun and games, Kilcullen’s Got Talent, water battles, Nerf target shooting, a danceathon, baking, and more. All activities will be held in a safe, familiar environment under the supervision of fully qualified and vetted teachers.

Parents who book before 1 June can avail of a €5 discount per child. To register, scan the provided code or text 087 2790359. The camp will be led by teachers Odhrán Lloyd, Shelly O’Brien, and Muiris Ó’Raoghaill.

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Cruinniú na nÓg is upcoming

Children and young people across Kildare are invited to take part in Cruinniú na nÓg, Ireland’s national day of free creativity for under-18s, taking place on Saturday, 6 June, writes Brian Byrne.

Event venues include Naas Library & Cultural Centre, Maynooth Community Library, Leixlip Community Library, Athy Community Library, the Woodstack Café in Monasterevin, Naas Old Cemetery, Riverbank Arts Centre, and the Irish National Stud & Gardens.

The countywide programme includes a Wild Kids Forest School, Wonderwalls Naas, Anyone 4 Science’s Bee Habitat Workshop, the Brigid Sings Programme, a cyanotype photography workshop for young artists, Art in the Woods, and an afternoon of rhythm, movement, and playful creativity with musical instruments.

Young people can also showcase their imagination through letters, poems, or songs, which can be submitted via imaginationpostbox.ie or dropped into Naas Library, with selected entries to be read aloud on air by KFM.

Cruinniú na nÓg is a flagship initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme’s Creative Youth Plan, which has been celebrated nationwide since 2018. Full details of Kildare events here. 

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Baptist Summer Kids Club 2026

Brannockstown Baptist Church will host a week-long Summer Kids Club from Monday, 6th to Friday, 10th July, offering a fun-filled programme of activities.

A visiting team from Baptist Youth will lead games, crafts, quizzes, music and Bible stories in the church hall and on the enclosed grassy grounds. The club will run daily from 10am to 3pm and is open to children who attended Junior Infants to 6th Class in the past school year.

The cost is €50 per child, capped at €70 per family, with payment accepted on arrival. 

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Registration and parental consent form here. 

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Online workshop for local business grants

An online workshop explaining how Kildare businesses can secure grant and loan funding will take place on 11 June from 2:15pm to 3:45pm, hosted by Local Enterprise Office Kildare. The free briefing is mandatory for all grant applicants and is open to new and existing Kildare-based business owners seeking grant or loan support. 

The session will outline available funding opportunities, walk through the grant application process, highlight what makes a successful application, and detail required supporting documents and milestone planning. It will also include guidance on preparing financial projections, followed by a Q&A. 

Follow‑up mentoring will be available for participants who need further help completing projections for their funding applications.

More information here. 

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