KCA AGM tonight: come and meet the purple 'elves'

Kilcullen Community Action is a little like the Grimm fairy tale, The Elves and the Shoemaker, writes Brian Byrne. Most of the time, you don't notice the group's volunteer and CE worker 'elves', but the results of their work are seen around town every day.

Whether it's tidying up the streets and footpaths, painting bollards, commissioning art, producing long-term plans to help make our community a better place to be in, or interacting with local and national authorities to access funding for all that, much of what makes Kilcullen the place that has attracted hundreds of new families over the last 25 years is underpinned by KCA activities.

The working 'elves' themselves are a tiny group in comparison to the total population of the town. They always welcome new people to don the colour purple and help out with their ever-growing list of tasks. Tonight is the KCA AGM, at 8pm, in the Town Hall. Everyone is welcome, and it's an opportunity to exchange ideas as well as hear the plans for the rest of 2026.

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Nineteen Eighty Something coming to Riverbank

Declan Gorman will perform his new theatre show, Nineteen Eighty Something, at Riverbank Arts Centre on Thursday, 7 May, writes Brian Byrne. The production draws from Gorman's own experiences as a young Irishman growing up in the 1980s, taking audiences on a journey through that era. 

The performance begins with a young Irish emigrant awakened in a German subway by an unknown woman and urged to run. From there, the story travels through Bavaria's squats and factories, journeys to North Africa, and back home to Ireland's fringe theatre and street protests. It's a mix of heartbreak, absurd escapades, humour, memorable characters, and self-discovery. Whether you lived through the eighties or are curious about that time, this show offers a wild ride with a pulsating soundtrack and immersive visuals.

Gorman is an Irish actor, writer, director, and educator from Monaghan, based in Fingal. A former co-founder of Co-Motion Theatre Company and founder of Upstate Theatre Project, he has created and led theatre, community arts, and education projects across Ireland and internationally. His recent work includes A Personal Prism (2024), and he continues to work widely in creative learning, public art, and community-engaged performance.

Nineteen Eighty Something starts at 8pm, with tickets costing €16 or €18, available at the Box Office or online at www.riverbank.ie, with a €1.50 booking fee. Call 045 448327 for reservations or visit the website for more details.

Riverbank Arts Centre, located in Newbridge, County Kildare, is funded by Kildare County Council and The Arts Council. It offers accessible, high-quality arts experiences for all ages.

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Online talk on teenage substance misuse

Dealing with substance misuse in teenagers is the subject of an online talk TOMORROW evening, Tuesday 21 April, hosted by the Kildare Library Service, writes Brian Byrne. The event begins at 7pm, and is presented by Tommy Hunt, a psychotherapist and co-ordinator of the Halo Project with InSync Youth and Family Services.

The MS Teams talk provides an introduction for both parents and professionals working with young people who are engaging with substances. Hunt will provide valuable information regarding signs and symptoms, how to manage situations, and the support available from the In Sync ‘Halo’ Project.

Online booking is available at Ticket Tailor. Participation is free.

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Kilcullen through-traffic a 'challenge' - Council survey

A survey of parking, traffic and pedestrian movements in Kilcullen concluded that the town’s main challenge is through-traffic pressure, not a parking shortage, writes Brian Byrne. The details were provided to Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer at the recent Kildare-Newbridge MD meeting, who said the parking component of the survey was 'flawed'.

Commissioned by Kildare County Council and carried out by IDASO Ltd, the study was conducted over four days in May 2025. The findings show a busy town centre with strong pedestrian activity and short-stay parking demand competing with significant passing-through traffic. Some 176,262 vehicles were recorded during the survey, around 85 per cent of which were private cars.

Pedestrian activity was noted to be strong throughout the town, especially along Main Street, The Square, near schools, and around commercial areas. They included children, teenagers, older people, and mobility-impaired pedestrians.

The report concluded that there is no overall parking deficit, with 680 parking spaces recorded, averaging overall occupancy of less than 40 per cent through the day. But it noted some central locations are under strain, while peripheral and off-street areas remain underused. The report suggests a need for smarter parking management, with signposting to less-used areas and better distinguishing between short-stay and longer-stay parking.

Cllr O'Dwyer described as a 'flaw' in the report that parking spaces on private properties were included, noting that the only public parking is on Main Street and the Market Square, a distinction that is 'critical for any future urban planning'. She said the findings reinforce long-standing calls for major infrastructure projects, such as a ring road and improved access to the motorway. In February, she asked what steps had been taken by the council to begin a parking strategy for the town. 

The study will guide future decisions on public realm improvements, traffic calming, pedestrian crossings, and town centre mobility in line with national and local policies, including Town Centre First and Active Travel objectives.

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Looking Back: Jimmy and Brush, The Spout, 2017

This is a photo montage memory of the late Jimmy Aspell and his great friend Brush Shiels, playing in The Spout in September 2017, in one of their annual fundraising gigs for the Irish Cancer Society. 

Jimmy raised large amounts for cancer support from 2010 before he died of the disease in January 2018.

MUSIC TRACK: Clocks - by Mark Karan, Scott Guberman, Angeline Saris, and Jeremy Hoenig.

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GAA appeal to dog owners about pitches

Kilcullen GAA has appealed to dog owners not to bring their pets onto any of its grass pitches following an increase in incidents involving dogs and dog poo on the pitches.

In an Instagram post, the club has stressed that dogs are not permitted on any pitch, including the CPC training pitch. The only exception is for guide dogs and special assistance dogs.

While dogs are welcome along the community walkway, the club reminds owners that pets must be kept on a lead at all times. Dog owners are also being asked to clean up after their animals and to take waste home for proper disposal.

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Cleaning up in Kilcullen

As part of the National Spring Clean, Kilcullen Tidy Towns volunteers were out yesterday morning tidying up the town, writes Brian Byrne. Two donated street sweeping machines were tested out for the first time. 

The bridge got a great cleaning, but there is lots more to be done. They'll be out on the street again on Wednesday evening at 7pm, and everybody who wants to help will be welcome.

Before that, the AGM of Kilcullen Community Action, the umbrella group for the Tidy Towns activities, is taking place on Tuesday night, the 21st, at 8pm, in the Town Hall. Everyone is welcome, and it's an opportunity to exchange ideas as well as hear the plans for the rest of 2026.

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