Funding announced for Dún Áilinne interpretation

Dr Susan Johnston talking to visitors at the last Dún Áilinne Open Day last summer.

Kilcullen is set to benefit from new funding aimed at progressing the Royal Sites of Ireland on Ireland’s Tentative World Heritage List, writes Brian Byrne. Dún Áilinne outside Kilcullen is one of the four Royal sites which will share €58,000.

Almost two decades of investigation on the Kilcullen site came to an end last summer, led by Dr Susan Johnston from George Washington University, with her colleague Dr Suzanne Garrett.

Announced for today's World Heritage Day, the funding is part of a significant capital investment to support UNESCO World Heritage ambitions across the country, including the Royal Sites, Historic Astronomical Observatories at Birr Castle and Dunsink, the Transatlantic Cable Ensemble at Knightstown, Co Kerry, and the Passage Tomb Landscape of Sligo.

All four of the above will share €365,000 in funding this year. The allocation for the Royal Sites will support a geophysical survey at Rathcroghan, Co Roscommon, as well as interpretation projects at the Hill of Uisneach, Co Westmeath, and for Dún Áilinne at Kilcullen. There's an interpretive park for the site at Nicholastown, and discussions are in train to provide a more substantial interpretation facility in the town.

€240,000 has been allocated for repairs to the Leviathan Telescope at Birr Castle, and conservation works to Dunsink Observatory House. A further €42,000 will go to the Transatlantic Cable Ensemble for stabilisation works to the First Message Building in Knightstown, Co Kerry, while €25,000 has been awarded to the Passage Tomb Landscape of Sligo for interpretation work.

NOTE: Dún Áilinne is on private land and not open to the public. 

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Census 1926 details revealed today

Kilcullen had a total of 1,007 people registered in Census 1926, the details of which were made public today, writes Brian Byrne. Among those, there was one centenarian, a woman, and two in the 90-99 age group, one of each gender.

Of the total, 481 were registered as male, and 526 were female. There were 178 children up to the age of 9, 92 of whom were female.

The religious affiliation was 97.29 per cent Roman Catholic, the balance registering as Church of Ireland.

The neighbouring, and similarly sized DED area of Ballysax East registered four times Kilcullen's population at 4,140 inhabitants, reflecting the 1,478 men aged 20-29, likely associated with Irish soldiers billeted at the Curragh Camp. Similar high population densities were associated with Kildare town and Naas.

Searches can be made of the database at this link. 

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Standing ovations for The Walworth Farce

Their performances of The Walworth Farce by Kilcullen Drama Group were given standing ovations by audiences this week, including at last evening's Gala Night, writes Brian Byrne. Proceeds of the Gala Night went to Kilcullen Community Centre.

Our photos here show some of those who supported last night's show. There are still tickets available for the final performance tonight, Saturday.

"We have had very positive feedback from everyone who came," the play's director, Eilis Phillips, told the Diary, adding that the cast had done an amazing job in what she has described as one of the most challenging plays in the Kilcullen Drama Group's history.

Tickets from Woodine Books and on Eventbrite.

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Census 1926 exhibition will be coming to Kildare

Naas Library and Cultural Centre has been chosen as one of ten venues across the country to host an exhibition on the 1926 Census. The exhibition, which starts in Dublin Castle this month, will take place in July and will present a picture of life in 1926, from sport and entertainment to language, culture, religion, gender and the working lives of the inhabitants of the Irish Free State.

The 1926 Census data will be published and made publicly available TODAY, Saturday, 18 April 2026. The National Archives of Ireland has digitised over 700,000 individual return sheets containing data from the 26 counties of the Republic of Ireland. It will provide a unique snapshot of life in Ireland as the first census undertaken following the foundation of the state. 

The census collected 21 data sets such as name, age, sex, marital status, religion, housing conditions and ability to speak Irish. Personal information entered on individual census forms can be published 100 years after a census is taken. 

On the night of 18 April 1926, the population of Ireland was 2,971,992, with 49% female and 51% male. This represented a 5.3% reduction since the previous census in 1911, which recorded a population of 3,139,688.

92.6% of the population was Catholic.

18.3% could speak Irish.

Of those employed, 51% were in agricultural occupations, 4% were fishermen, 14% were in manufacturing, and 7% were domestic servants.

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KCA starts footpaths Spring Clean today

KCA will begin a cleanup of the town centre footpaths TODAY (Saturday) as part of National Spring Clean 2026. 

The work is due to start at 9.30am at the Town Hall. Other jobs, including painting street furniture, may also be carried out if enough volunteers take part. 

Everyone is welcome.

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CPC clothing collection fundraiser

A clothing collection fundraiser organised by the Parents Association of Cross & Passion College, Kilcullen, will take place next Saturday, 25 April 2026, from 10am to 3pm at the back steps/bike shelter of the school.

Funds raised will go directly to the school, with a portion also being donated to LauraLynn Children’s Hospice.

The collection will accept adult and children’s clothes, paired shoes, hats, handbags, scarves, belts and ties. Items not accepted include bedding, duvets, pillows, teddies, mobile phones, tablets, off-cuts and crested uniforms.

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Closing date for KPPN Resource Worker applications

A reminder that the closing date for applications for the post of dedicated Resource Worker to spearhead the development and expansion of the Kildare Public Participation Network is NEXT Wednesday. This initiative is designed to promote public engagement and participation through the environmental, social inclusion and community and voluntary sectors in Kildare.  

The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating all activities of the network, ensuring the effective implementation of its Annual Workplan, and building strong, collaborative relationships within the community. Key duties include organising community events, facilitating stakeholder meetings, and managing communication channels. 

The role also involves representing the network in discussions with local government and partner organisations to advocate for community interests. 

Interested applicants should submit their CV and cover letter to kildareppnclg@gmail.com by 22 April, 2026. This position is offered on a fixed-term contract lasting until December 31, 2028.

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Lions scrap metal collection today

Image: Alfo Medeiros, via Pexels.

A reminder that Kilcullen Lions Club is holding a scrap metal collection fundraiser at the rear of the Kilcullen Community Centre building TODAY, Saturday, 18 April, from 10 am to 12 noon. 

The organisers welcome all types of domestic metal, including pots and pans, old bicycles, golf clubs, garden tools, radiators, and trampoline poles.

At spring cleaning time, a perfect way to clear that metal junk.

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KCA Annual General Meeting

Kilcullen Community Action is holding its 2026 AGM on Tuesday next, 21 April.

The meeting is in the Town Hall, beginning at 8pm.

All are welcome.

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Resurfacing and line-marking in Lower Main Street

Photo: Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer.

Road resurfacing and marking on Lower Main Street, and the front of Brennans Lane is taking place on Tuesday through Friday of next week, writes Brian Byrne. There will be local access, but major disruption can be expected.

The work will also widen the pinch point at the end of Firestop on the entrance to the Riverside estates, a long‑standing source of congestion. The improvement is expected to ease traffic flow significantly and improve safety for both motorists and pedestrians in the area.

A stop/go system will be in place to manage traffic, and motorists are being advised to allow extra time for journeys or to seek alternative routes where possible.

A new blue badge parking space will be installed in the square, making it easier for people with reduced mobility to access local shops and services. 

Linemarking will clearly define parking bays, crossing points, and traffic lanes. 

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30 years of TY to be celebrated at CPC

A reunion to celebrate 30 years of Transition Year at Cross and Passion College (CPC) in Kilcullen will bring together past and present members of the school community next month.

Current and former pupils, parents and guardians, staff, and local community members who have taken part in or supported the Transition Year (TY) programme are being invited to the school for a special TY30 Celebration on Wednesday, 6 May. The event will begin at 7:30pm in the school's Assembly Hall.

The evening will be an opportunity for shared memories, music and refreshments. Organisers say they are looking forward to welcoming familiar faces and marking the contribution that Transition Year has made to school and community life over the past 30 years.

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