Goda's bracelets sale

They start their entrepreneurship young in Cnoc na Greine, writes Brian Byrne. Today, young resident Goda has a sale of clay bead bracelets, keychains and pet toys, from noon today.

The stall is on the main green in the estate and will be open until 4pm. Like any good business person, Goda has deals available for multiple buys.

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Key found in Valley

A key found in the Valley this morning can be retrieved at Eurospar.

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Ballyshannon Biodiversity Plan for AGM

Dr Catherine O'Connell.

A reminder that the completed Community Biodiversity Action Plan for Ballyshannon will be featured at the Ballyshannon Action group AGM on Wednesday next, 31 July, writes Brian Byrne. The meeting will be in Ballyshannon Hall, starting at 8pm, and all are welcome.

Key points in the plan will be discussed and printouts will be available to read. The plan was put together by ecologist Dr Catherine O'Connell, with the help of a €5,500 grant from Community Foundation Ireland. Following an initial visit in April, Dr O'Connell had identified at least 110 different species in hedgerows, streams, gardens and road frontages.

The completed Biodiversity Plan will include an assessment of what people are currently doing that is good for wildlife and biodiversity in Ballyshannon and add some ideas to improve on that.

Meanwhile, Ballyshannon Action is also now accepting donations for a Bric-a-Brac and Book Sale to be held in Ballyshannon Hall on Saturday 24 August from 2pm-5pm. Contact Anna Sage if you have anything to donate, or bring it in on the day.

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Olympics spectacle

Kilcullen's Olympics spectacle, at Nichola Kennedy Optometrist.

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Chance tomorrow to buy GAA Car Draw tickets

For anyone who wants to buy a Car Draw ticket to support the Field of Dreams, they have another chance tomorrow morning.

Debbie O’Brien will be at the GAA clubhouse from 9.45 to 11.15 to facilitate ticket purchases. 

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A day trip for Kilcullen Seniors

A day trip for Kilcullen seniors is being organised by Kilcullen Lions Club to Kilmacurragh House and Botanic Gardens in Co Wicklow. The date is Wednesday 4 September and the day out will finish with dinner and music in Fallons of Kilcullen.

A hidden gem of 18th century garden and arboretum developed by the Acton family, the Queen Anne style house is now roofless and derelict, but there is a commitment from Government to rehabilitate it under the direction of the OPW, which has managed Kilmacurragh for many years. The gardens have been restored by the National Botanic Gardens

Places are limited for what promises to be a most enjoyable day out. If interested, contact Annette on 087 6320040, Teri on 097 2815083, Siobhan on 087 6166324 or Frances on 087 9746000 before Monday 26 August.

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Friday morning 'brigils' support Palestinian people

On 'Brigil' duty in support of the Palestinian people this morning at the M9 motorway bridge near Kilcullen were Aoife Scott, Ray Kelly and Orla O'Neill, writes Brian Byrne.

The Friday morning vigils are urging an end to the Israeli attacks in Gaza which have now killed an estimated 38,000 Gazan civilians.

The 'Brigils' are held on Fridays at five motorway bridges in County Kildare. And while it isn't easy to get large groups together at busy traffic times in the morning — and evening in some cases — Orla O'Neill says there is generally a strong positive support from motorists crossing and passing under the bridge. "Though since all this anti-immigration message has grown, we are seeing negativity too. Some people calling out things like what business is Gaza of ours?"

Numbers at the Kilcullen Friday mornings, from 7.30am to 8.30am, can range from a couple of people to seven, and on one day Ray found himself on his own. "It can be a lonely place then," he admits. While agreeing that most reaction is positive, he recalled one incident when a tractor pulling a slurry tank pulled up on the hard shoulder beyond the group and the driver blew his horn to get their attention. "We looked around and then he flipped the finger at us. Imagine the effort he put in just to do that?" 

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Upgrade planned for Circle K EV charging

The Circle K M9 service area outside Kilcullen is to get a major electric car charging upgrade, writes Brian Byrne. It is one of 17 locations on major roads around the country in which charging 'pools' will be built with banks of charging points.

In total, according to Transport Minister Eamon Ryan, 131 new Fast and Ultra-Fast recharging points will be established. The infrastructure will be built by private business, grant aided by the Department of Transport.

Though timelines for individual locations have not yet been detailed, all are expected to be in place by the end of 2025, as will a second tranche of grant-aided 'pools' on the country's national 'N' roads.

Ultra-Fast charging points can deliver power at up to 350kW. The current charging points at the Kilcullen site are one each 50kW and 150kW. There are frequently a number of electric cars waiting their turns to get on one of the units.

As yet there is no indication of the number of  changers to be available in individual pools, but will likely vary between four and eight depending on the traffic levels on the route.

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Hurling Cúl Camp 2024

The Hurling Cúl Camp this year is being held in Athgarvan GAA, from Monday 12 to Friday 16 August.

Kellogg's GAA Cúl Camps provide primary school boys and girls — between the ages of 6 and 13 — with an action-packed and fun-filled week of activity.

This camp is an opportunity to practice your hurling, learn some new skills, or just try it out if you've never tried it before. All in a fun and friendly environment.

Places are still available. Book your slot now: kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie/booking/

South Kildare Shamrocks is an amalgamation for Hurling of three clubs, Athgarvan, Kilcullen and Twomilehouse GAA. 

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KCA on their tea-break

Enjoying a well-earned tea-break, this photo sent in by Tony Gahan shows some of the wonderful KCA volunteers and CE workers who work so hard to keep out town looking so beautiful.

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Valley Park Fairy Trail family fun day

The best Fancy Dress appearance at the upcoming Family Day at the Valley Park Fairy Trail will win a €50 voucher for Woodbine Books, writes Brian Byrne. The event will be on the afternoon of Saturday 17 August, starting at 1pm.

Among the attractions in what is promised to be a fun-filled day will be music from DJ Billy as well as local musicians, along with an Ice Cream Van, magician Billy Bubbles, Woodbine Books Story Telling, Pamper Me Beautiful, and Face Painting.

The Valley Park Fairy Trail was established in 2019 and relaunched last year with many enhancements. The park on the bank of the Liffey was established in the 1970s by Kilcullen Community Council and is maintained today by the volunteers of Kilcullen Community Action. 

"It's all brought to life with love and commitment from a very passionate voluntary group," says the KCA event's organiser Antoinette Buckley. "We are so lucky to have such a well maintained Valley Park right in the heart of Kilcullen with the river Liffey flowing through our town. Thanks to KCA-Tidy Towns volunteers and the CE workers for maintaining the Park on a daily basis. If you are interested in volunteering please contact a member of the team, we would be delighted to hear from you — new faces, fresh ideas welcomed."

Funding for the Family Day has been sponsored by KCA, Kildare Credit Union and Kildare County Council. "We're looking forward to seeing everyone," Antoinette says. "Spread the word."

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Another gold for James

Kilcullen's James Nolan won a gold medal in Golf yesterday at the European Transplant & Dialysis Sports Championships in Lisbon, writes Brian Byrne. He says he was 'absolutely chuffed' to win in the Team competition, with his good friend Michael O'Dwyer.

The event was held in the Lisbon Sports Club in 35 degrees of heat. "It was tough, but made it a special way to celebrate my 37th Transplant Anniversary tomorrow (Thursday), all thanks to my sister Catherine who gave me the Gift of Life back in 1987."

The members of Team Ireland at the Championships are taking part in a variety of sports including Athletics, Badminton, 10-Pin Bowling, Cycling, Darts, Golf, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis and Petanque. They are recipients of donated lungs, kidneys, livers, bone marrow, and hearts and also include one athlete who is on dialysis. 

They were addressed in Kilcullen two weeks before they left for the games by legendary hurler and hurling manager Brian Cody, who told them they were inspiring and had 'true grit'. 

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