River cleared this morning

Kilcullen Community Action at work: clearing the tree debris from the river ahead of the bridge this morning. Image courtesy Noel Clare.

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Ducks now on sale for Fairy Trail Family Fun Day race

Tightly packed field at last year's race.

Ducks are now on sale from Kilcullen Lions Club for the upcoming Family Fun Day at the Valley Park Fairy Trail, writes Brian Byrne. The annual Duck Race will take place at 4pm on Saturday, 6 June 2026, as part of the day’s activities. 

Ducks cost €5 each and can be bought from any club member now, on the street on 5 June, or on race day itself. The first duck home will win €100, with €50 for second place and a Woodbine Book Voucher for third. All proceeds will go to local charities.

Meanwhile, the Fairy Trail Fun Day promises an afternoon of entertainment and activities for children and adults alike. The event, hosted by Kilcullen Community Action, will run from 12 noon to 4pm, and will feature Billy Bubbles Magician, Mrs Bubbles’ kids’ sprinkle and biscuit decorating, face painting, storytelling, and music from local artists and a DJ. There will be free ice cream for children.

Families are invited to take part in an optional fairy-themed fancy dress competition, with prizes for the best dressed. 

The event is supported by Kildare County Council and Kildare Credit Union.

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New exhibition from Kildare Art Collective

A section from one of the exhibits.

Riverbank Arts Centre in Newbridge will host a new exhibition by Kildare Art Collective, titled Departures, in the McKenna Gallery from Saturday 30 May to Saturday 27 June. Exploring themes of transition and change, Departures focuses on moments at the edge of new phases in life, reflecting on roles, objects and identities that have been outgrown. 

Artists exhibiting include Olga Anacka, Mark Butler, Anna de Cleir, Marta Golubowska, Declan Greaney, Kirsten Hodgson, Niamh Hynan, Conor Lane, Michelle McBride, Martina McDonald, Caoimhe McGuckin, Claire Murphy, Dan Shanahan, Fergus Smith and Johnny Tierney.

The official opening will take place on Saturday, 30 May at 5pm, offering visitors a chance to meet the artists and learn more about their work. An inclusive Audio Tour, led by artist Michelle McBride and aimed particularly at visually impaired visitors and those who benefit from literacy-supported access, will run on Saturday 27 June at 12:30pm. The tour is free, but advance booking is advised.

Departures is open Monday-Friday from 9:30am-5pm, Saturdays 10am-1pm, and one hour before evening events. Admission is free. Further information and the exhibition catalogue are available at riverbank.ie.

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Rotary Club of Newbridge seeks new members

If you want to make new friends and do some volunteering in your local community, you should try Rotary, writes Ger McNally of the Rotary Club of Newbridge. While we are a small club, I like to think we punch above our weight.

Every year, the club runs two major fundraising events, enabling it to support local groups such as Kildare Relay for Life, Kildare Alzheimer’s Society and the Newbridge Deaf Society, as well as international charities like Lend with Care. Rotary Newbridge is part of the worldwide Rotary organisation, with 1.2 million members, and supports major international projects.

Local funds are raised to assist the three Newbridge-based DEIS Schools: Scoil Mhuire Junior Infants, St Patrick’s National School and the pre-school children in Newbridge Family Resource Centre. Providing essential consumables allows these schools to stretch their Department of Education funding.

One of our major projects is the ‘Just One Life’ project — a joint venture between the Newbridge and Naas Rotary clubs – now in its eighth year, taking 2,700 Transition-year students to a presentation on the hazards of unsafe driving, given by the Fire Brigade, Naas Hospital A&E and community Gardai. 

The annual Youth Leadership competition, run by Rotary Ireland District, is enthusiastically supported by Newbridge Rotary. Every year, a team of national winners travels to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, where they debate current issues and network with students from other countries.

And then there’s Christmas, where we bring hampers to local elderly people and gifts to the children who are in a local direct provision centre. We’ve also started to bring Easter eggs to these groups and chocolates to the elderly on Valentine’s Day.

The two big annual fundraisers are the Christmas Remembrance Tree and the April Table Quiz. The Table Quiz particularly gives local companies and traders the chance to get involved by sponsoring running costs and spot prizes.  Always a fun night – not to be missed.

To get in touch with Newbridge Rotary, please contact the Secretary at psb.qaconsult@gmail.com, or 087 6481611.

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Patrick Hyland's Summer Serenade in Naas next month

A reminder that Irish tenor Patrick Hyland will bring his Summer Serenade Concert to The Moat Theatre, Naas, on Friday, 5 June 2026 at 8pm.

The concert will feature special guests Heather Sammon (mezzo-soprano), Lynda O’Connor (violin) and Rebecca Warren (piano), with a programme including opera classics, movie hits, musical favourites and Irish songs.

Tickets cost €30 plus a €1.50 booking fee and are on sale now through The Moat Theatre at 045 883030 or online here. 

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Moll in Kilcullen theatre on Saturday night

Laois-based 4th Wall Theatre Group will bring John B Keane’s much-loved comedy Moll to the stage in Kilcullen tomorrow night, Saturday the 23rd, writes Brian Byrne, in what promises to be a truly entertaining performance.

Set in an Irish country presbytery, Moll is a sharply observed comedy centred on the arrival of the formidable new housekeeper Moll Kettle, whose presence quickly upsets the established order among the resident clergy.

The 4th Wall Theatre Group brings together performers from varied backgrounds, many with years of stage experience. The upcoming Kilcullen show marks the final leg of the group’s tour of Moll, which included performances in the Dunamaise Arts Centre and the Birr Theatre & Arts Centre.

The show starts at 8pm sharp. Tickets €15.

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GAA Bingo tonight with €1,000 Jackpot

Just a reminder that Kilcullen GAA's weekly Bingo sessions are a great social attraction every Friday night. Tonight's Jackpot is €1,000.

The clubhouse is open for tea and coffee from 7pm, and the first game plays off at 8pm.

All welcome.

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Kilcullen businesses welcome shoppers back as road works conclude

Businesses in Kilcullen are reminding customers that recent road works in the town have now been completed, making it a more attractive and enjoyable place to shop, dine, and visit.

After a period of disruption while works were underway, local traders say the town is now looking better than ever and are encouraging the public to come and experience everything Kilcullen has to offer.

Shop owners, cafés, and service providers say the finished improvements have made a more welcoming atmosphere for local shopping.

Some parking spaces have been lost to widening of footpaths, but business representatives note that there is public parking in the square, and several businesses provide parking.

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Headphones lost

A set of OpenRunPro 2 headphones was lost last evening in Kilcullen. It may have happened near the Daybreak store.

If found, contact Donna Ferns Hoey.

Reward offered.

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Home care staff opportunities

InisCare home care providers is recruiting staff to support clients in Naas and the surrounding areas. The company is seeking Healthcare Assistants, Rapid Responders, and Healthcare Supervisors to join its team.

There's a range of benefits for successful applicants, including mileage, a Refer-a-Friend programme, a bike-to-work scheme, mentoring, and sponsorship for QQI Level 5 (Care Skills and Care for the Elderly Person Modules). There's also a career progression plan.

Contact adrianareis@iniscare.ie for more information.

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Pedestrian crossing assessment 'when resources available'

An assessment of the need for a pedestrian crossing at Nicholastown will be carried out 'when resources are available', writes Brian Byrne. Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, who is seeking the crossing, was told that her request has been 'added to a list' of similar requests across the county.

Cllr O'Dwyer told the monthly meeting of the Kildare-Newbridge MD that the need for the crossing is 'growing more and more', for pedestrians on the Nicholastown side to be able to access the entrance to the community centre, all weather pitches and the GAA Field of Dreams, and the primary and secondary schools.

She noted that an access from the road was always in place to allow pedestrians get to and from the schools and the community centre. "It even has the little railing to prevent children from running out onto the road," she said. "It is a natural permeability route and should be formalised."

She welcomed the commitment to have it assessed for a proper crossing.

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The passing of Bridget Gemma Steed

The death has occurred of Bridget Gemma Steed, née Birchall, Inchaquire, Ballitore Co Kildare and Yellow bog, Kilcullen, peacefully at her residence in the company of her loving family, on Wednesday, 20 May 2026.

Predeceased by her parents Bridget, Denis and her brother-in-law Paddy, Bridget will be dearly missed by her husband Tom Steed, her sons Fabian, Justin and Thomas, her daughters Denise, Andrea, Bridget and Mary. Also her sons-in-law Martin, Aidan, Garrett and Barry, daughters-in-law Lillian, Mary and Jacqui, her brothers Tom and Denis and her sisters Ish and Sr John Vianney, her sisters-in-law Anne and Bridget. Bridget will also be sorely missed by her grandkids, Aaron, Adam, Ewan, Jason, Jack, Katie, Dylan, Sara, Izzy, Rebecca, Amy, Ryan, Emily, Sam, Garrett, Ben, Ross, Grace, Thomas and Daniel, and her nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Bridget will be reposing at her residence (R14 V449) on Friday 22nd from 2pm, concluding with prayers at 8pm. Removal on Saturday morning to arrive at Ss. Mary and Laurence Church, Crookstown, Co Kildare for 10am funeral mass. Burial afterwards will be in St Joseph's Church cemetery Gormanstown, Co Kildare.

Family flowers only please.

Donations may be made, if desired, to the Irish Hospice Foundation in memory of Bridget Gemma Steed (née Birchall).

Summer Camps at Kilcullen Community Centre

As we draw closer to summer holidays, the following camps will be held in Kilcullen Community Centre and All Weather Pitch, writes Enda O'Neill. So if you have a bored teen or pre-teen, one or two of these camps just might suit.

June 29th to 3rd July - Soccer Skills Academy, contact soccerskillsacademy@hotmail.com. 

July 6th to 10th July - Kilcullen Activity Summer Camp, contact kilcullenactivitycamp@gmail.com.

July 20th to 23rd and 28th to 31st - Badminton Ireland Camp, contact johnamond@badmintonireland.com. 

July 20th to July 24th - Latin and Ballroom Camp, contact aaron-niamh@hotmail.com. 

4th August to 7th August, two camps: Soccer Skills Academy, contact soccerskillsacademy@hotmail.com. Irish School DIY Camp, contact www.theirishschooldiy.ie.

10th August to 14th August - Let's Go! Summer Camps, contact info@letsgo.ie.

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