Liam Sherry Museum of Pitch & Putt officially opened

Photos: Tracey O'Dwyer.

The official opening of the Liam Sherry Museum at St Bridget's Pitch & Putt Club took place last evening, writes Brian Byrne.

The ribbon was cut by Liam's wife Mary in the presence of the President of Pitch & Putt Ireland Mark Keohane, who then pronounced Ireland's only such museum open.

Both Mary and club President Christy Sweeney spoke at the event. Liam, who died in 2019, was inducted into the Pitch & Putt Union of Ireland Hall of Fame in 2015.

Over this weekend, the club is hosting the National Matchplay Ladies and Gents competitions, with the official launch of the event this morning scheduled for June 8.30am. The presentation of prizes will take place on the bank holiday Monday evening.

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Tennis Club AGM this month

The AGM of Kilcullen Tennis Club will be held in the clubhouse on Monday 19 June.

All members are encouraged to attend the meeting, which will begin at 7pm.

Plans for the clubhouse refurbishment will be included on the agenda, and after the meeting there will be opportunity for social tennis and refreshments.

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It Says in The Bridge: June 2023

It took time, but the launch finally of the Kilcullen Design Statement is the lead story for the June Bridge, headlined as 'A touchstone for Kilcullen', writes Brian Byrne. The story is based on a talk with James Hennessy of The Paul Hogarth Company, the consultants commissioned by KCA to come up with a blueprint for the future of the town, designed as a 'living' document that is flexible enough to change as circumstances require.

There's coverage inside of the actual launch itself, and the Talking Point piece also references the importance both of making plans and having people come forward to make them happen.

The centre colour spread is about the recent launch of another KCA initiative, now in place as the 'Garden for everyone' at the Community Library. The  family picnic official opening was well attended and a very happy and engaging occasion for all.

Another happy occasion is recorded too, the full house for the Gala Night of Kilcullen Drama Group's latest presentation, 'The Factory Girls'. Another standing ovation performance, the Gala event was in aid of St Joseph's NS Halverstown.

Meanwhile, film production and performances were the focus of CPC's TY class, in a report on the 'glitz and glam' at their inaugural 'Oscars' held recently in the college. Who knows, will the Bridge be reporting on some of the participants in years to come being nominated for the real-life Oscars, as a result of their participation in this Film-Making module? They'll certainly know the drill if this local event was any indication.

Other news items include reaction from Dennis Hogan following his boxing world title loss — he gave it everything but a win was not to be. There are pictures and words coverage of the 'What's in our river?' event presented by local ecologist Dr Jan Baars, and the win by Kalbarri as Cookery School of the Year 2023 is also highlighted.

From the river nature connection to the forest version, and outdoor play is a piece by Kate Maher who operates the Dúlra camps experience. The second half of Billy Horan's life experiences is also published this month.

In the regular slots, Mary Browne answers 20 Questions, Sean Landers continues his exploration of the Dorcas Society, and Mary Orford recalls the life of the late Ken Urquhart, the White Russian of New Abbey. Noel Clare goes Out and Away to sample a gem of a pub off the beaten track, the Fisherman's near the canal between Vicarstown and Monasterevin. Noel also offers an insight into the social enterprise workings of The Old Hardware in Narraghmore. A walk around Old Kilcullen revives medical and other memories for John Duffey.

All schools are to the fore this month as they get ready for their summer break, and the Pitch & Putt Club are preparing for their hosting of the National Matchplay Championships this June bank holiday weekend.

Once again, with all of the foregoing, and more, this is The Bridge. YOUR Bridge. Enjoy.

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Busy times at Riverbank Arts Centre

A stage adaptation of Donal Ryan's From a Low and Quiet Sea is one of a number of upcoming presentations of interest at the Riverbank Arts Centre in Newbridge.

The play will be performed by the Decadent Theatre Company on Thursday and Friday 8/9 June as part of their national tour. The adaptation of the Booker Prize-nominated novel is directed by Andrew Flynn.

Meanwhile, an exhibition by the Kildare Art Collective will open in the Centre on this coming Saturday 3 June. Under the title Unseen, it features the works of Olga Anacka, Gavin Casey, Holly Delaney, Derek Finn, Bethan Hodgson, Kirsten Hodgson, Niamh Hynan, Conor Lane, Michelle McBride, Martina McDonald, Caoimhe McGuckin, Claire Murphy, Roisín Ní Neachtain, Ruth Ryan and Johnny Tierney and is part of June Fest 2023. 

For the same June Fest, Riverbank will be the location on Sunday 4 June for A Parlour Evening with Friends, at 8pm. The evening will provide a variety of music, drama, poetry and song and features local artists Eimear Dempsey, Nicky Keogh, Aoise Dempsey & Stephen Connelly, Frankie Lane, Pud Barrett, Con Cummins, Conor Mahony and Alan Fitzgerald, Roisín McAlinden, Maria McDonald, Mary Linehan and Martin Connelly. All funds raised through ticket sales will go to Newbridge Day Care Centre and Meals on Wheels. 

On Thursday 15 June Music Network presents bassist Linda May Han Oh and pianist Fabian Almazan at Riverbank, at 8pm.

View all upcoming events: riverbank.ie/events.

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Drone's eye view of Field of Dreams progress

This latest drone image of the work going on at the Kilcullen GAA 'Field of Dreams' gives an idea of the scale of the project.

(Image: Kilcullen GAA.)

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The passing of Kevin McDonagh

The Diary has learned of the death of Kevin McDonagh, Bishop Rogan Park, Kilcullen, who passed away unexpectedly on 30 May 2023.

Kevin's death is deeply regretted by his loving wife Stella, daughter Adrienne, son Ian, grandchildren Ryan, Ezme and Revin, son in law Leroy, daughter in law Shelley, brothers, sister, nieces, nephews, relatives and a large circle of friends.

Funeral arrangements will be published later.

Rest in peace.