Ballyshannon plants trees

Images: Ballyshannon Action.

Ballyshannon has marked National Tree Week with the planting of 1,800 trees across the area as part of its Community Biodiversity Action Plan, supported by Community Foundation Ireland.

Led by Colm and his team, the project introduced a rich mix of Irish hedgerow species along with fruit trees at the local school and in nearby homes. Organisers hope the new hedgerows will attract more insects and birdlife, enhance the local environment, and increase the diversity of trees and shrubs in the area.

The initiative builds on Ballyshannon’s existing natural assets and aims to strengthen local biodiversity for years to come.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

St Patrick's weekend at Russborough

Russborough House is hosting a series of family-friendly events to mark St Patrick’s weekend, beginning with a special Birds of Prey demonstration today, Saturday.

The National Birds of Prey Centre will present a live display on the front lawn at 11 am, giving visitors a chance to see birds of prey up close and learn about their care, conservation, and natural behaviours. The event is suitable for all ages.

To mark the occasion, shamrock plants will be available to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis as a simple keepsake to take home.

On Monday, 16 March, there will be live Irish music in the Russborough Café from 10 am to 12 noon, as accompaniment to coffee and light snacks in a relaxed setting.

Across the weekend, visitors are encouraged to explore the parklands, visit the café, and enjoy a festive atmosphere in a distinctly Irish setting.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Kildare community safety partnership launched

Kildare County Council has held the inaugural meeting of the newly established Kildare Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP), aimed at strengthening collaboration on community safety across the county.

The meeting, held on Thursday 12 March 2026, included representatives from An Garda Síochána, Kildare County Council, Tusla, the HSE, and local community, youth and education sectors. The LCSP, supported by the National Office for Community Safety, will act as a central forum to identify local safety priorities and oversee the development and implementation of a Community Safety Plan for Kildare.

Councillor Angela Feeney was elected Chair of the Kildare LCSP, with Mario Obijiaku elected as Vice Chair.

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan welcomed the initiative, describing it as an important milestone in the nationwide rollout of community safety partnerships and the government’s new approach to community safety.  

Kildare County Council Chief Executive Sonya Kavanagh said the creation of the LCSP represents a strong commitment to collaborative, community-focused decision-making, ensuring that safety remains central to the Council’s work.

The Kildare LCSP will now begin identifying priority areas to be addressed in its Community Safety Plan for the county.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

Kilcullen Gospel Choir: A member's perspective

“Oh Happy Day” and many other beautiful gospel renditions come to life through the soulful voices of the Kilcullen Choir.

My job asked me to write an article for the monthly newsletter on something I was passionate about, writes Lisa Nolan. I've been a member of the Kilcullen Gospel Choir for nearly seven years, so I wrote about what the choir means to me. 

Kilcullen Gospel Choir was founded in April 2014 by Frances Clare, who remains part of the choir to this day, alongside other original members. Our choir director is Lisa Nagle, who has been leading us for the past four years. Lisa has brought fun, joy, and professionalism to the choir, making us stronger and better than ever. There are 55 members in total, with hopes of welcoming even more new members. 

I joined KGC in 2019 when I moved to Kilcullen, and it has been the best decision. They say music heals the soul, and I truly believe it—I feel it every week at practice. I call choir practice "Therapy Thursday" because whatever worries or stresses I had at the start, I leave feeling lighter, stronger, and happier, ready for the week ahead. 

I’ve learned that being part of a choir doesn’t require perfect singing—just being present and giving your best. If I mess up, that’s okay; the music moves on, and everyone keeps singing. We are our own little community, and it feels wonderful to be part of this special group.

We sing a wide range of songs—from Gospel to U2, Pink, Lady Gaga, Fleetwood Mac, Keane, The Corrs, and many more. Oh, and I can’t forget to mention "Oh Happy Day" from Sister Act—we wouldn’t be a Gospel choir if we didn’t sing that one. 

Choir isn’t just about weekly practice; it’s also about attending fun workshops, putting on concerts, fundraising events for charities, and singing at Mass once a month. We represent the Kilcullen community when we sing, and I feel proud of that. We enjoy social nights out together, which always end with us singing. 

We celebrated our 10th anniversary concert in 2024, which was a huge success. We all worked so hard to deliver the best concert we could. When the audience applauded, it brought us immense joy to know that all our hard work had paid off.

I would recommend everyone try being part of a choir—give it a go, as you might be pleasantly surprised by how much you will love it.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

April training opens for children in CPR and AED use

Kilcullen Community First Responders have opened registrations for their April CPR and AED training sessions for children aged eight and over, writes Brian Byrne. A previously scheduled course is already fully booked, and organisers say they are looking forward to welcoming the young participants and teaching them vital lifesaving skills. 

The training aims to give children the confidence to act in an emergency, including knowing how to call emergency services, stay as calm as possible, and raise the alarm and shout for help. Parents wishing to book a place for their child are invited to email kilcullenfirstresponders@gmail.com. 

The group encourages families to consider whether their children would know what to do if something happened at home and states that this training can help prepare them for such situations.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

The passing of Seamus (Seamie) O'Brien

The death has occurred of Seamus (Seamie) O'Brien, of Harristown, Brannockstown, and formerly of Donode, Ballymore Eustace, Co Kildare, on 12 March 2026, in the company of his loving family and in the tender loving care of the staff of Curragh Lawn Nursing Home, Kinneagh, Kilcullen.

Beloved husband of Kathleen and father to John and Paul, Seamie will be dearly missed by his family, daughters-in-law Vivienne and Eilish, grandchildren Emily and Eoin, sister Kay, brothers-in-law Noel and Maurice, sister-in-law Peig, niece, nephews, extended family, relatives and many friends and neighbours.

He will be eposing at Clarke’s Funeral Home, Burgage More, Blessington W91YN79 on Friday 13th March from 5pm to 7pm. His funeral to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Ballymore Eustace on Saturday 14 March will arrive for 11am Funeral Mass followed by burial in St Peter’s Cemetery, Two Mile House.

May Seamus’s kind and gentle soul Rest in Peace

Lions plant trees at Community Centre

Members of Kilcullen Lions Club planted several 8-foot Mountain Ash trees at the front of the Community Centre last Saturday, as part of the Lions Club’s contribution to National Tree Week.

Photos courtesy Kilcullen Lions.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy