Novel from former CPC student

When 15-year-old Hazel Kevlihan would come in from her day at Cross & Passion College last spring, she had more than homework on her mind, writes Brian Byrne. She was also writing a novel for the young adult market.

The result is 'Two Lies and a Diamond', which is now available to buy on Amazon. It tells the story of five teen-aged con artists and thieves who travel around Europe, duping the wealthy and elite.

"I wrote the first draft of 'Two Lies and a Diamond' last year, starting in early April and continuing throughout the summer," Hazel says. "I would sit down at the kitchen table every day after school and try to write at least a chapter. I started out with a basic plot line, but as I continued to write, the story took greater shape and eventually it seemed like the characters were speaking for themselves."

The fact that she was in Transition Year at the time was a 'definite help', Hazel says, and she is also very thankful to both the school and to her English teacher Mrs Dredge for being very supportive of the project.

"I have her, as well as the TY Coordinator at CPC, to thank for giving me the opportunity to meet Hazel Gaynor, an internationally successful Kilcullen author, who came to speak at our school and gave me tonnes of excellent advice going forward."

Now 16, and living in Tanzania since last August — she has an Irish father and her American mother has to travel a lot for her work — Hazel and her two younger sisters spent three years living in Kilcullen, hence her attendance at CPC. She has always been interested in reading, and admits that 'even as a little kid I would always have my nose in a book, even when walking around and barely paying to where I was going'.

She figures her interest in writing comes from that reading background. "Stories have always been a big part of my life, from Harry Potter to 'War of the Worlds', and I suppose I just wanted to contribute a story which other people could get lost in.

"I have always been fascinated by heist stories, the kind of 'Indiana Jones' or 'Ocean's 11' type narrative that keeps you hooked, and resonates with the small part of all of us that wants to 'make it rich'. Really, I just wanted to write the type of story which would make people lean back in their seats and think 'that was pretty cool'."

Well, with a book of her own on Amazon's global platform is pretty cool itself for any 16-year-old. And there's probably more cool stuff to come.

This article was first published in The Kildare Nationalist.

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Naas street fete

A Naas Community Fete on the streets is planned for Saturday 28 July, writes Brian Byrne.

There will be entertainment from Jam Music, Zumba, the Garda Band and the Newbridge Wind Ensemble. The event is organised by Naas Rotary in conjunction with An Garda Síochána.

The community celebration will run from 1pm-5pm on the Main Street, is in aid of Barretstown, and in addition to music there will be sport, food, a pop-up Gaeltacht, and all sorts of children's and family entertainment.

Displays will feature vintage fire engines, steam engines and old cars. Other attractions will include street barbecue food to complement the offerings from Main Street restaurants and cafes.

(NOTE: This story has been amended. Contrary to the information supplied, the Kilcullen Gospel Choir will not be performing. Their next event is at The Relay for Life in September and their Autumn Concert on 12 October will be held in  Toughers.)


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Parish Lotto Draw results

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on Tuesday 17 July were 7, 14, 21 and 23. There was no Jackpot winner and next week's main prize will be €18,000.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws were Mick Mullaly (Promoter Miriam Mulally), Vivienne & Daisy (Vivienne Clifford) and Elizabeth Clifford (Vivienne Clifford).

The winners of the Promoters Draw were Berneys Chemist and Vivian Clarke and the winner of the Draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Eileen Doyle.

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Winners of Pieta House event raffle

The winners of the Raffle at the weekend Dawn Walk and Concert are as listed below.

Most winners have been notified, but some tickets didn't have contact details, and anyone who has not been notified should contact the organisers.

Two tickets to the Coronas - Aoife Coughlan; Palmerstown Gift voucher for round of golf for 4 people - Alexandra Puttill; Murphy’s Furniture Liquidation voucher €200 - Tara Dillon; Voucher Kildare Village €100 - Maura Deay; Dunnes Stores Voucher €100 - Caroline Treacey; Kilashee Hotel voucher €100 - Chris McGlinchey; Mount Juliet (2 people) - Fiona Taylor; Bardons gift voucher - Nicola; Ladies Hamper - Stuart Gavin; Mens Hamper - Dave Redmond; Fallons gift voucher - Dominic Behan; Hamper, wine and vouchers x 2 - Tommy O’Connor; Ladies Hamper - Murphy Family; Ladies Hamper - Ben Howlett; Hamper - Martin Baker; Framed Rugby picture and box Heineken - Clodagh Ryan; Hegartys Garage Voucher €150 - Mary Fox; Visit Willie McCreery and Creans Place voucher - Miss KG; One for all voucher €100 - Shiela Quinn; Hideout voucher - Deirdre McGlynn; Four ball golf voucher Curragh Golf - Tom Ryan, Carlow; Wine Hamper - Michael O’Connor.

Please contact Jackie on 087 2253330 to organise pick up of your raffle prize.

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Free books today in Newbridge Library

People who like books of Irish and historical interest have a chance of adding to their collection for free in Newbridge today, writes Brian Byrne.

The books have been taken from the Kildare Library Service stock, and may be acquired in the back room of the Newbridge Library this afternoon, from 1pm.

Mario Corrigan says the selection will be of particular interest to those who like history, but there are also books of general Irish interest.

The event will close at 8pm.

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Cycle for Crumlin 2018 this weekend

A reminder that the Murphy Surveys 'Cycle for Crumlin' this year will take place on Saturday next, 21 July, writes Brian Byrne.

The fifth year of the event, it will again have two routes, one of 50km and the second of 100km.

To date, the total raised is over €45,000 and the company hopes that in 2018 they'll achieve the target of €60,000.

The starting point will again be at the company's HQ at Kilcullen Business Park.

Some 200 cyclists took part in last year's event, also involving two routes. Apart from the cyclists, family members of the participants enjoyed refreshments and amusements while they waited for the participants to return.

Registration is €30, all of which will be passed on to CMRF Crumlin. Registration on the day begins at 9am, but pre-registration is available here.

Pictured are Niall Murphy (Managing Director Murphy Surveys Ltd), Caitriona Hanly, Sarah Joyce (CMRD Crumlin Children’s Hospital), Ray Murphy (CEO Murphy Surveys Ltd) and Liam Walker (Kilcullen Cycling Club).

The passing of Mary Conroy

The Diary has learned with sadness of the death of Mary Conroy, of Nicholastown, and lately resident in Beechpark Nursing Home in Dunmurry.

Mary passed away peacefully in Naas Hospital on Sunday, in the company of her loving family. She will be sadly missed by all, including her sisters Joan, Betty, Ann and Frances, brothers in law and sisters in law, her nephews, nieces and other family members, neighbours and friends.

She will be reposing at Beechpark Nursing Home tomorrow, Tuesday, from 5pm to 7pm, with prayers at 7.30pm. Her funeral mass will be celebrated at Kilcullen Parish Church on Wednesday at 11am. Burial afterwards in New Abbey Cemetery.

May she rest in peace.

Outdoor gym equipment officially launched

Jenny Murphy cuts the ribbon on the outdoor gym, in the presence of Mayor of Naas MD Cllr Rob Power, and members of Kilcullen Lions and the management of Kilcullen Community Centre.

"It's small things like this that can make a big difference over time for people, encouraging them to go out and helping them put their best foot forward."

International rugby star Jenny Murphy was very much in favour of the new outdoor gym equipment installed at the Community Centre campus, when she cut a tape to 'open' it yesterday, writes Brian Byrne. The installation was a long-term project by Kilcullen Lions Club.

Jenny recalled that it was the support she got in Kilcullen to play sports which was part of why she was able to reach a level that she had never thought she could.

The function was held in the presence of the Mayor of Naas Municipal District, Cllr Rob Power, who commended the community spirit which had driven the project on over the years since it was first mooted.

"So many such projects are community driven, and without someone local driving them they just wouldn't happen," he said, and singled out the perseverance of Kilcullen Lions member Darragh Fitzgerald that resulted in the project being implemented. The money was provided from the Local Property Tax, he noted, which was locally-paid money coming back locally.

Cllr Power also gave credit to the officials in Kildare County Council for working to supply the equipment, especially Simon Wallace of the Council's Parks Department, 'who is dealing with a very busy schedule, with a skeleton staff'.

For his part, Darragh Fitzgerald said that while people might think the equipment 'just suddenly came from nowhere', it was through four years of work, and the cooperation of the Council and the management of the Community Centre which had brought it about. He thanked all concerned, especially Cllr Power, and the committee of the Centre for allowing the equipment to be placed there.

"Also, the Council met the full cost of the installation, which was great as we had initially thought that some Lions Club money would be needed."

The current President of Kilcullen Lions, Conor Williams, thanked Darragh for his hard work, and said he was very pleased to hear that people are already using the equipment 'quite a lot'.

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Three RIA high achievers from Kilcullen

Three students of Drama Dynamics have won the Royal Irish Academy High Achievers Award this year, writes Brian Byrne. They are Jenny Dillon, Grade 6; Emmet O'Sullivan, Grade 8; and Lily Crawford, Grade 2.

They will be presented with their awards at a Gala Concert in GBS Theatre Carlow in November.

"I am so proud of each and everyone of my students of all levels of abilities," says Drama Dynamics owner Evelyn O'Sullivan. "It is a credit to these three students to have their dedication, hard work and commitment being rewarded by such a renowned college. Many congratulations to them."

Pics from Drama Dynamics Facebook page.

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