Monday, May 04, 2026

Halverstown win first home game in style

Des Drumm, Chairman, presents Lauren Maguire, Pure Power Nutrition, with a club cap to thank her for Halverstown Match Day sponsorship.

Halverstown Cricket Club made a winning start at home in the 2026 season with a convincing 9-wicket victory over Rush 3 on 2 May.
After opening the season campaign with an away win over Malahide 5, Halverstown 1 carried that momentum into their first home fixture, which was also the club’s first under its new “Sponsor a Match” programme. Supported by Purepower Nutrition, the occasion got off to the perfect start as Halverstown bowled Rush out for 101.
New Zealander Cate Pederson top-scored for the visitors with 31, but Halverstown’s bowlers stayed in control, with Vishnu taking 3 for 13 and Neville Case claiming 2 for 23. Halverstown then chased down the match comfortably, losing only one wicket. Leigh Leesman finished unbeaten on 60, while debutant Guarev made 27 not out.
Halverstown captain Paolo Rosa praised the performance afterwards, saying: “When the lads play like this, it makes my job easier.”
Before the match, chairman Des Drumm welcomed Lauren Maguire of Purepower Nutrition, who rang the club bell to start play and later presented the Player of the Match award to Cate Pederson.

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Dawn Walk for Pieta date


A reminder that the Kilcullen Healthy Clubs Dawn Walk to raise funds for Pieta will be held this year next Saturday, 9 May, writes Brona Dooley. The charity provides professional counselling, support, and education to those experiencing suicidal thoughts, self-harming behaviour, and to those impacted by suicide and self-harm, and all these services are free of charge. 
Join us on our Field of Dreams track on 9 May: we will gather from 4:15 am for a mindful walk together with family, friends, or just quietly carrying your own reason.
To finish the morning, join us at Kilcullen GAA Clubhouse for complimentary breakfast rolls and cakes. Raggy’s Cafe will also be open for all your hot drink needs and is generously making a donation towards Pieta House for every purchase made with them. 
Donations will be accepted in the morning and will be donated to Pieta on behalf of Kilcullen GAA Healthy Clubs.

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Footpath parking is illegal


This is one of the issues raised at the recent AGM of Kilcullen Community Action, that some motorists are parking on the new footpaths in Kilcullen. This one is a case in point: last night, photographs sent in by a reader show a car parked in front of McTernan's in the early evening, and the car was still there some hours later.
Parking on a footpath, if the regulation is enforced, is a minimum of 1 penalty point and an €80 fine.
A key point of the conversation at the AGM was that illegal parking in Kilcullen has to be tackled through a combination of traffic wardens and Garda traffic policing.

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Baptist community to host two hope-focused evenings


Brannockstown Baptist community will host two special evenings at the end of May exploring the theme of hope in today’s world. The events on Thursday, 28 May, and Friday, 29 May, both start at 7:30pm at the church in Brannockstown (W91 K004).
The evenings will include songs, personal stories, short Bible talks, and free refreshments, with all welcome to attend. The events are aimed at anyone asking where real hope can be found in uncertain times.
More information is available at brannockstownbaptist.com.

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Sunday, May 03, 2026

Good Kilcullen performances in Kanturk

Today, Tom Hughes took over as leading junior and 2nd overall after a super performance in this morning's Time Trial in Kanturk, writes Liam Walker, and he held his position as 2nd after the 90 km road race this afternoon. 
Conor Regan is 4th overall going into tomorrow's last stage. Fergal Regan is also 4th overall in the C3 race. 
Pictured above, left is Tom Hughes, and on the right is Fergal Regan, who was 2nd in yesterday's Kanturk 3-day stage race. On the right is his son Conor, who was 2nd in the C1 race and 1st junior.

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Are these your horses?


UPDATE: OWNER FOUND. These two horses were found wandering in a cornfield on the Athy Road. 
The owner can reclaim them by contacting Kilcullen Gardai, 045 481212, with proof of ownership.

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It Says in The Bridge: May 2026


The gold medal won by Kilcullen in the 2025 Supervalu Tidy Towns was proudly on display at the recent AGM of Kilcullen Community Action, and is also headlined in the report from that event, which leads this month's edition, writes Brian Byrne. The quote that the medal defines our community seems quite appropriate, given the amount of work that KCA-Tidy Towns does in Kilcullen.
The work of one of Kilcullen's longest-standing organisations, the Drama Group, which can record its foundations back to the 1930s, is another important element in the rich mosaic of Kilcullen, and the group's latest presentation, The Walworth Farce, makes for a colourful centre spread story, with a photographic record of emotion, action, and the dysfunction of the family at the centre of the play. A challenge for cast and audience alike, both rose to it, the latter literally in several standing ovations.
Beyond those, a broad mix of articles in the issue takes in an Arctic expedition, a debut book of poetry, several commentaries on aspects of the 1926 Census releases, and the expansion of the Born to Strum Music Academy, located at the Crookstown Craft Centre. The Kilcullen Photography Club shows how patterns around us can make fascinating pictures, and the concluding part of Jim Kelly's memories of Tony O'Reilly and Castlemartin gives further insights into the man and the place in Kilcullen that became his much-loved Irish home.
For those who like to wander away for a day, Noel Clare suggests Mount Leinster as a trip that rewards with both breathtaking views and an ethereal music of the wind through the stays that hold the RTE transmitter mast in place. All in all, a spectacular location from which to view eight counties, weather permitting, and for those who like to drive on the edge, the road back towards Myshall and Tullow gives Kerry's Connor Pass a run for its money.
In other regular contributions, Billy Redmond recalls some of his many 'rambling house' experiences, which can sometimes deliver the truth of the adage that 'it's a small world'. Eugene Brennan, wont to cycle considerable distances, provides an interesting background and detail to the Leinster Aqueduct and to mills in the Kilcullen area. In his regular Places Around Us, Daithí de Róiste offers a history of Killeen Cormac in Colbinstown, and Sean Landers gives over his column to some more memories of Gilltown as penned by Maurice Baxter. John Duffey continues his inimitable style of recollections, this time involving the recycling of items of clothing in his day that had nothing to do with shoving them into a container at the edge of some car park. Noreen Dowling provides one of her always-entertaining personal memories, this time on a tourist bus travelling across Dublin.
There are the usual lots of schoolchildren’s activities in their regular pages, while in sport, we have details of the value of connections in Kilcullen GAA, a preview of the World Cup from Nigel Phillips, and Joe Mallon's regular update on the thriving pitch and putt club.
Overall, so many contributions that we had to add four pages this month. Just goes to show, there's still a strong place in Kilcullen for our community magazine, even in its 56th year.

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Curragh band history in An Cosantóir


An article in the latest edition of An Cosantóir, the magazine of the Irish Defence Forces, highlights the rich history of the Band of the Curragh Command, writes Brian Byrne, tracing its development from its foundation in the 1920s to its disbandment in 2002.
The piece was written by Kilcullen man PJ Lydon, himself a former member of the Band, whose personal connection brings added insight to the story of one of the Defence Forces’ most respected musical units.
The article recalls the band’s long service at state occasions, military ceremonies, community events and school performances, and pays tribute to the generations of musicians who shaped its legacy. 
For readers with links to the Curragh, the Defence Forces or Irish military music, it offers an evocative account of an important part of Ireland’s cultural and military heritage.

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Many May events at Russborough


Russborough House & Park has a lively programme of seasonal attractions planned during May, with events and family activities set against the backdrop of its spring gardens and historic estate.
Highlights include the RHSI Russborough Garden Show 2026 on Sunday 17th, with plant stalls, expert talks, flower demonstrations, live music, family entertainment and the Wild Tails Dog Show. Visitors can also experience The Grand Tour, a new guided tour exploring Russborough’s Palladian architecture, art and 18th-century heritage, now enhanced by the return of nine paintings from the original Milltown Collection.
Other special attractions include the Blessington Spring Run of vintage cars and motorcycles on the 10th, a free family tote bag printing workshop on Saturday, 23rd, with artist Susie Fortune, the Land Rover Gathering Weekend from the 22nd to the 24th, and a series of art workshops led by Schoolhouse for Art. Music lovers can also enjoy the West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival from the 20th to the 24th, bringing acclaimed Irish and international performers to Russborough and Blessington.
With its rhododendrons in bloom, the Walled Garden open, adventure activities on site, and seasonal shopping and café offerings, visitors have plenty of reasons to make a day of it throughout May.

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Saturday, May 02, 2026

Places in Woodbine Books teen Book Club


Woodbine Books has a limited number of places available in its book club for children aged 12 to 14.
The club is for young readers who enjoy books and group discussion, and meets at 3pm on the second Saturday of each month. 
Parents or guardians interested in securing a place should contact the bookshop directly by DM, in person, or via WhatsApp at 085 8606725.
The club offers a welcoming space for young people with a love of reading to connect and share their thoughts on books.

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The passing of Ann McCreery

The death has occurred of Ann McCreery, Gormanstown, Kilcullen, and formerly of Capdoo, Clane, Co Kildare, on 1 May 2026, peacefully at Naas General Hospital, in the company of her loving family. 
Predeceased by her loving husband Peter, son Tom, brothers Pat, Bill, and Toss, and sister Lou, Ann's passing is deeply regretted and she is sadly missed by her loving children Peter, Catherine, William, Nora, and Mary, adored grandchildren Aisling, Niall, and Annabel, sons-in-law Lorcan and Michael, daughters-in-law Rosario and Amanda, extended family, neighbours, and a large circle of friends.
She will be reposing at Oliver Reilly's Funeral Home, Woods House, Clane, (W91 YPX4) on Monday (4 May) from 4pm-8pm with evening prayers at 7:30pm. Removal will be on Tuesday (5 May) at approximately 10.30am to arrive at the Church of St Patrick and St Brigid, Clane, for the 11 am Funeral Mass, followed by burial in Mainham Cemetery. 
The family would like to say a special thanks to the doctors, nurses, and health care assistants for the wonderful care of their mam during her stay at Naas General Hospital. 
Family flowers only, please; donations if desired in memory of Ann to Friends of Naas Hospital, for which purpose there will be a donation box at the Funeral Home.
Rest in Peace.

KCA invites ideas for community projects


Kilcullen people who have an idea for a community-led project and would like to see it happen are encouraged to bring it to Kilcullen Community Action, writes Brian Byrne. The invitation was made by outgoing chair Ann Cashman at the organisation's recent AGM.
"KCA is not just about litter picking," she said. "It's not just about summer flowers. If someone has a project they'd like to see progressed, and they have a passion for it and want to drive it, I'd encourage them to join." She said that financial support can be found for projects that are "appropriate and in line with the vision of KCA."
In the meantime, there's "loads going to happen" this year under the group's current programme, she said. These include town centre cleanup sessions on Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings, two community events in The Valley, the Family Day in the Library Garden, and street collections scheduled for mid-June.
In her final meeting as chair, after eight years in the position, Ann appealed for more people to help. "It can be frustrating when you're trying to fill a schedule, to make the most of an opportunity, and it's the same few people doing lots. If we could encourage other people, who don't have to be members of the group, to try and give an hour or two, it would be really helpful."

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Spout continues GAA Senior Men support

Image: Kilcullen GAA.

The Spout Bar, Kilcullen, is continuing its support of the Kilcullen GAA's Senior Men’s team with new tops for the players and management.
The kit design reflects the 1990s era, when Kilcullen enjoyed great success, winning multiple county championships and a Leinster Junior title.
Pictured are manager Niall Timmons, senior captain Ciaran O’Brien, and goalkeeper Cormac Barker, with Marian Courtney and Tommy Dignam from The Spout.
Kilcullen GAA expressed its appreciation to Marian, Tommy and everyone at The Spout for their backing.

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LEO Kildare to host practical sustainability workshop for small retailers


Local Enterprise Office Kildare
is hosting a practical workshop aimed at helping small retailers improve profitability through sustainable business practices, writes Brian Byrne.
Titled Focus on Retail – Sustainable and Profitable: How Small Retailers Win on Both, the free event will take place at MERITS, Naas, on 11 May 2026 from 10 am to 12.30pm.
Designed for retail, hospitality, and tourism businesses, the workshop will focus on simple, cost-saving actions that can reduce energy, stock and waste expenses, strengthen customer loyalty, and improve margins. It will also guide participants on how to develop a Sustainable & Profitable Action Plan and apply for the €10,000 Energy Efficiency Grant.
The event will show that sustainability is not just good for the environment, but can also deliver clear commercial benefits for small businesses.

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Blessing of the Graves 2026 ceremonies

File photo.

Blessing of the Graves ceremonies will take place in the parish during the summer.
For Old Kilcullen, the 11am Mass on Sunday, 7 June, in Kilcullen Church will be offered for those buried in Old Kilcullen Cemetery, followed by saying the rosary and blessing of the graves at 12.30pm in the cemetery.
The Gormanstown Church blessing will take place on Sunday, 28 June, after the 9.30am Mass.
On Sunday, 6 September, prayers and blessings of the graves will be held at 2pm in New Abbey Cemetery. At 3pm, Mass will be celebrated in St Brigid’s Cemetery, followed by the blessing of the graves.
Families and parishioners are invited to attend these special times of prayer and remembrance.

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