Record crowds tipped for Punchestown

The 2026 Punchestown Festival is set for record attendance, with advance sales indicating more than 130,000 visitors across the five-day event from Tuesday, 28 April to Saturday, 2 May.

This year’s festival is on track to exceed last year’s record turnout, driven by a strong weather forecast and a programme combining top-class racing with major social and entertainment attractions.

A record prize fund of €3.6 million is being offered across 40 races. Punchestown also expects the festival to generate more than €70 million for the economy and draw visitors from Ireland and overseas.

Chief executive Conor O’Neill said the festival has grown beyond sport into a flagship national entertainment event, with hospitality demand remaining exceptionally strong. Midweek hospitality is sold out despite increased capacity, while limited availability remains for Saturday.

The festival will also feature live music, style events, family entertainment, new hospitality options, and expanded food and beverage offerings.

Organisers are urging racegoers to book before the final ticket offer ends at midnight on Sunday, 26 April, and to use public transport where possible, particularly on Festival Friday.

Full details and tickets are available at www.punchestown.com.

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Dowling Property: 19 Hillcrest Kilcullen

Welcome to No 19. Dowling Property is delighted to present to the market this exceptional 3-bedroom dormer bungalow for sale, available for the very first time. Situated in a tranquil cul-de-sac and overlooking a green area to the front, the property is presented in immaculate condition throughout. This superb home benefits from an elevated position, offering scenic views of Kilcullen town and the surrounding countryside from the rear.

The property features two spacious reception rooms and a charming sunroom with views over the landscaped gardens. The bright and spacious accommodation comprises an entrance hallway, a guest WC, a sitting room, a kitchen/breakfast room, a dining/lounge area, and a double bedroom on the ground floor. Upstairs, there are two double bedrooms and a family bathroom. Heating is by gas, complemented by an open fire in the sitting room.

The rear garden is particularly notable for its maturity, privacy, and south-facing sunshine. It boasts a variety of mature trees and shrubs and has been meticulously maintained by its owners.

Hillcrest is a small estate with all amenities conveniently located within close proximity. These include leisure facilities, shops, primary and secondary schools (St Brigid’s Primary School and the Cross & Passion College Secondary School), public transportation, and major road networks such as the M7 and M9 motorways. Given its prime location and excellent presentation, we strongly recommend early viewing. This is a property not to be missed.

AMV €395,000. dowlingproperty.ie. Kildare Office 045 482189.

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Nice job. Pity about the drivers

A nice job is almost finished at the Market Square and generally in downtown Kilcullen. Making getting in and out of Riverside a much smoother affair. 

Unfortunately, there seem to be some unsighted drivers around, as two of the new bollards were bashed the other night. One on the Market Square pedestrian island, the other near the bridge.

Get a grip, people. Preferably on your steering wheels.

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Book Sale continues today

It's the last day of this month's KWWSPCA Book Sale today, Saturday, at Kilcullen Heritage Centre. Find thousands of books to explore — 6 books for just €5! 

There's something for everyone — Classics, Fiction, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Cookery, Gardening, Irish Fiction, Sports, Autobiographies, and more. Plus, lots of children’s books too, at 3 for €1! 

Support our local SPCA. Come and grab some fantastic summer reads at great prices!

And don't forget to take part in Walking Sunday tomorrow, 26 April, at Punchestown Racecourse from 2pm to 4pm. The event is open to everyone, and dogs are especially welcome.

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Is this your tricycle?

This adult tricycle was found in the Kilcullen KARE centre's grounds in February and still has not been claimed. The owner can get it by enquiring at the centre,

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Poetry book from Rani Grennell

Local drama and communications teacher Rani Grennell has published her first book of poetry, Dancing with Shadows, writes Brian Byrne. With more than 70 poems, the book is available both in print and Kindle formats from Amazon, and from Barnes & Noble.

Rani, who operates her Kings and Clowns drama and voice training studio from her home at Harristown, says she has been writing poetry since she was a teenager, and the pieces in the book span a timeline from then to the present day. The themes cover life experiences, relationships, family, and her love of nature and animals. 

"Each poem stands on its own, but together, they form a picture, if you like, of what my life has been so far," she told the Diary. "It's a collection that can be seen as personal, but hopefully, there's a universality in the experiences of life in it as well."

Rani has also written short stories and is currently working on a non-poetry book titled The Confessions of a Serial Dog Owner. She produced Dancing with Shadows with the help of UK-based publishing services company BritLit.

The title is based on the thought that our memories are shadows swirling around us through our lives.

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KWWSPCA Book Sale in Kilcullen

A reminder that animal lovers have two chances to support the Kildare and West Wicklow Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (KWWSPCA) this weekend, writes Brian Byrne, with a big book sale in Kilcullen TODAY and a family-friendly walking event at Punchestown Racecourse on Sunday.

The charity’s Massive Book Sale takes place today and tomorrow, 24/25 April, in Kilcullen Town Hall, offering a wide selection of books. It is open today from 11am to 5pm and on Saturday from 11pm to 4pm. The fundraising will continue on Sunday, 26 April, with Walking Sunday at Punchestown Racecourse from 2pm to 4pm. The event is open to everyone, and dogs are especially welcome.

The walk will give people a chance to enjoy the racecourse in the days before the Punchestown Racing Festival begins, with attractions including an information stall, raffle, coffee stall, ice cream stall and spot prizes.

For more information, contact 087 680 3295.

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Kilcullen athletes helping mountain rescue team

No.1 Fitness Kilcullen is participating in the Mondello 24-hour Endurance Cycle on 20 June, a challenging event in aid of Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue. The Kilcullen team can be supported at this link, and every contribution, no matter how small, plays a crucial role in helping the rescue team continue their life-saving work.

DWMRT is a 24/7 emergency rescue team serving Dublin, Wicklow and Louth, made up of highly trained volunteers who give their time, skills, and expertise purely out of commitment to helping others. They’ve been saving lives from their base in Roundwood since 1984.

The Mondello 24-hour cycle is a test of endurance and dedication, with participants cycling continuously for a full day. The event has gathered support from several sponsors, including Kilcullen Dental, Quantum, Andrews Plant Hire, Oldstone Conservation, FJS Plant, Refillz, Scott Engineering, Las Radas, Phase Electrical, and GBS Engineering. 

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Roadworks continuing

Work yesterday on new surfaces on the road in downtown Kilcullen and the Market Square.

 

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KCA financial position is good

Treasurer Bridget Ryan and Chairperson Ann Cashman at the AGM.

Kilcullen Community Action is in a good financial position, the organisation's Annual General Meeting heard this week, writes Brian Byrne. KCA recorded a total income last year of €51,930 and total expenditures of €46,818.

However, Treasurer Bridget Ryan observed that the surplus and bank balance should be regarded as working funds for planned annual projects, which typically exceed €40,000. These include expenses related to Tidy Towns, Kilcullen in Bloom, Christmas Lights, and various other event outgoings. She also emphasised that the insurance fees amounting to €3,000 represent a high cost relative to the total funds managed by KCA.

Grants received from Kildare County Council in 2025 totalled slightly over €27,000, representing approximately 53 per cent of KCA's income. The Treasurer acknowledged this as very significant support from the council and, in particular, thanked Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer for her assistance.

Other major funding sources included the Golf Classic and its associated raffle, as well as street collections. Contributions also came from the public, local businesses and other organisations, such as Kildare Credit Union.

"However, the goodwill of the community and the voluntary work that's done by people in the group, you can't show that in figures," Bridget noted. "So our figures obviously don't show it." 

The KCA accounts are audited by SCD Accountants.

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Irish Military History Seminar in May

1st Armoured Car Squadron and the 9th Cyclist Squadron, Monasterevin, 1941. Image courtesy Michael Rowley.

The 2026 Irish Military History Seminar will take place from 6 to 9 May at the Naas Library & Cultural Centre.

Organised with the support of Kildare County Archives & Local Studies and Kildare Library Service, the seminar will feature a programme of events celebrating and exploring aspects of Irish military history.

The event marks the tenth edition of the seminar and is a must for those with an interest in history, heritage and military studies.

Admission to all events is free.

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Cnoc na Gréine AGM

A reminder that the Cnoc na Greine Residents Association will hold its Annual General Meeting on Monday, 27 April 2026, at 8pm in the Carter room at the Community Centre. 

The meeting is open to all residents to voice their opinions and share their ideas for the estate. 

Residents interested in joining the committee or contributing suggestions are invited to participate in the meeting or contact the association via message. 

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Kildare PPN Annual Report 2025

Kildare Public Participation Network (PPN) organised a wide-ranging programme of capacity-building events in 2025, with 129 member organisations taking part in training designed to strengthen skills, confidence, and participation in interacting with Kildare County Council.

As detailed in the organisation's Annual Report 2025, the programme included workshops on governance and management, AGMs and committee meetings, funding and finance, banking and financial compliance, conflict resolution, GDPR, facilitation skills, Canva, AI awareness, and local government structures. These sessions were developed in response to member feedback and emerging needs.

Kildare PPN also hosted major information and engagement events during the year, including a KCC Grants Information Evening for almost 190 members, a follow-up Community Grants Roadshow, and a joint public participation event with Kildare County Council. Training was also provided for new and prospective Secretariat members.

Special themed initiatives included a three-day Climate Action Series in May, which featured nine workshops on energy efficiency, biodiversity, and community-led climate action, while Social Inclusion Week included 23 activities across the county.

The training and events formed part of a broader year of growth for Kildare PPN, which now represents 866 member groups and continues to expand community involvement in local government decision-making throughout County Kildare.

The full report can be downloaded from this link. 

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An Tearmann proprietor on Arctic expedition

Images courtesy David Hogan and the ARWA team.

The proprietor of the An Tearmann Café, David Hogan, has just completed an Arctic expedition along with four former Defence Forces colleagues to generate funds for a Newbridge initiative of the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE), writes Brian Byrne. The project is Brú Dermot Earley, named after the late Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, providing essential support to former Defence Force members. 

The expedition commenced and concluded between 15 and 21 April in the small Norwegian settlement of Longyearbyen, which serves as a gateway to the High Arctic wilderness stretching towards the North Pole. The participants, all members of the Army Ranger Wing Association (ARWA), covered nearly 100 km by walking with skis and poles, each hauling 45 kg of supplies on pulk sledges. From sea level, they ascended a total of 1,500 metres, with 800 metres of that elevation gained on the second day. 

The team camped in two-person tents and faced severe winds and sub-zero temperatures, particularly during the night, when each member was required to maintain an armed polar bear watch for 90 minutes at a time. On the second day, they encountered bear tracks. The terrain included snowy landscapes and two glaciers, which necessitated careful navigation. 

Averaging 60 years of age, the team managed to traverse between 12 km and 15 km daily through extremely challenging terrain. Team member Cathal O'Neill said that a secondary aim of the expedition was to demonstrate that "adventure is ageless." 

David Hogan told the Diary that local residents had said that, due to climate change, spring is now arriving approximately one month earlier than in previous years. As part of local efforts to address the climate situation, electric skidoos are now replacing those powered by combustion engines, along with various other initiatives.

The expedition exceeded their original iDonate target of €15,000. Donations can still be made at this link. 

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