Coffee Morning at Dunshane

Home-made Christmas crafts will be available to buy at a Coffee Morning in Camphill Dunshane on Tuesday 27 November.

The event will run from 10am to 12 noon, and all are welcome to go along and enjoy coffee, tea, cakes and home produce.

Dunshane is near Brannockstown. More information 045 483628.


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New tech repairs business in town

The newest business in town opened its doors this week, offering a repair and sales service for phones and computers, writes Brian Byrne.

Tech Service is located in the shop between Vincents and Appleton Property, and is operated by Leo Chan and his wife Rachel. The business specialises in repairs of all kinds of phones and tablets, and stocks a range of new and used phones and tablets as well.

Typical repairs such as replacing broken phone screens or batteries can be carried out on an almost while you wait basis, or certainly 'come back after a cup of coffee'. Tech Service can also deal with microphone and speaker faults and damaged charging ports. Water damage can also be assessed and dealt with.

Systems and software issues on both phones and computers can be sorted, and removal of viruses from a computer system is part of the service portfolio.

Among the range of new and used smartphones on display are also several models of 'traditional' mobile phones, which Leo said there remains a market for. "There are people who don't need, or want smartphones, but do want to be able to contact and be contacted by their friends. We have a range of affordable phones for them."

Leo already operates a Tech Service shop in Naas, and has done his research as to why extending to Kilcullen is a good idea. The reasons include the fact that there's no similar business in the town already. "There are also two large schools here," he notes, reflecting the fact that school pupils have phones and many of them will from time to time need repairs.

He also notes the volumes of traffic on the road outside, which gives the shop high visibility to people who could at some stage need the service.

The Diary wishes them well.

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Cricket Club AGM tonight

Halverstown Cricket Club's AGM is taking place tonight, Thursday 15 November, at 8pm in Fallons. All members of the club are asked to attend.

Halverstown Cricket Club has been playing continuously since 1885 and currently has both a League team in Division 12 of Cricket Leinster and the Halverstown Oaks who play both Taverners and Social Team games.

The club is always looking for new players, so if you are interested, contact via the website.

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Fiona Dowling storytelling tonight

A reminder that the featured storyteller at An Tearmann this evening, Thursday 15 November, is Fiona Dowling, writes Brian Byrne.

Returning to the Triple Spiral Storytellers venue, where she was the inaugural performer a year ago (video above), she'll be telling stories under the theme of 'Different Loves', with things kicking off at 7.30pm.

All welcome, suitable for all from eight to 80+. The usual €5 donation at the door includes the entertainment, and coffee and goodies courtesy of Jo.

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Crean's Place mini Christmas Market

Local restaurant Crean's Place will be running a series of Saturday mini Christmas Craft Fairs, beginning this Saturday.

Operating from 11am-2pm, the events will offer hand-made linen table cloths, napkins, hand-woven baskets, log candle holders, hand-made pebble art Christmas cards and pebble art frames.

There will also be fresh homemade produce which includes the restaurant's own brown breads, gluten-free breads, scones and jams.

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Information evening on grants application

An information evening on how to apply for grants from Kildare County Council will be held in Newbridge Town Hall on Tuesday next, 20 November, writes Brian Byrne.

Organised by the Kildare Public Participation Network in association with the Council, it will advise on applying for grants for the community, for festivals and for heritage projects.

The evening will also be useful as a guide to form-filling, and on when to watch out for grants being advertised.

Anyone interested in attending should email kildareppn@gmail.com.

The Kildare PPN facilitates representation of communities on decision making bodies. It currently has more than 700 member groups on its Directory, of which six are from Kilcullen. These are Kilcullen Co Housing Group, Kilcullen Senior Citizens, Kilcullen and District Community Alert, Kilcullen Community Carer & Toddler Group, Kilcullen Community Child Care & Education Centre Ltd, and Kilcullen River Festival.


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Irish Water to investigate Cnoc na Greine problem

Irish Water say they will investigate why water from the taps in some Cnoc na Greine homes is running brown.

The matter was reported by a number of residents yesterday, and a customer care representative is due to contact them as soon as possible.

The picture by Mark Reid shows the tap water beside a glass of bottled water.

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Christmas Lights street collection on Saturday

Some of the KCA and business lights displays.

The Christmas Lights street collection will take place on Saturday next, 17 November, writes Brian Byrne.

Organised by Kilcullen Community Action, the funds raised will help fund the electricity and other costs associated with the lights, as well as extra display lights and props which are being provided.

KCA members will collect from the usual locations outside Eurospar and Nolans (we did say Berneys Chemist earlier, but that's only a few steps away) on Main Street, and Centra on Hillcrest.

All support very much appreciated.


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Traffic lights for Council discussion ... again!

Pic: Google Maps.

The potentially lethal issue of traffic turning right into the Mile Mill Road at the Hideout corner is to be raised again at next Tuesday's meeting of Naas Municipal District, writes Brian Byrne.

Cllr Billy Hillis has a motion down 'that the council considers and costs the installation of right turning filter lights for traffic travelling towards Naas and towards Athy at the main traffic light junction at the Hideout/Cross and Passion College in Kilcullen'.

The lack of a filter for traffic coming from the south end of Kilcullen to safely make that right turn has been an issue since at least 2006, when the Diary first raised the matter.

In 2014 some changes were decided to the width of the footpaths at the lights, but no changes were made to the lights themselves.

More than two years ago, Kildare County Council sought opinions from residents and businesses on whether there should be major changes at the crossroads.

The Diary has reported on the problem and the official response to it on many occasions. Here are some links.

More danger on red. (2006)

Call for traffic lights re-think. (2007)

Council response on lights. (2007)

Solving a traffic problem.  (2007)

Footpaths, lights motions. (2012)

Traffic lights obsolete. (2012)

Junction widening coming. (2014)

Cllr Hillis is also asking for road resurfacing on the R413/R412 cross road junction in Brannockstown.


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Parish Lotto Draw results

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on Tuesday 13th November 2018 were 9, 16, 25 and 31. There was no Jackpot winner and next week's main prize will again be €18,000.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws were Pa the Painter (Promoter Miriam McDonnell), Ray & Melissa Tyrell (Ger’s Fruit & Veg Shop) and Alisha Cahill (Kilcullen Credit Union).

The winners of the Promoters Draw were Josie Connolly and Berney’s Chemist and the winner of the Draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Maria Shanahan.

The Parish thanks all who support the Lotto.

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Ballyshannon NS and Pre-School Open Day

The Little Learners Pre-School and Ballyshannon National School are holding an Open Day on Saturday, 17 November.

The event runs from 1pm to 2pm.

All parents welcome.

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Dylstock on Saturday

This year's Dylstock Rockfest is being held in O'Connells Bar on Saturday next, 17 November, writes Brian Byrne.

It features Sugarcoatings, Blackthorn, Barley & the Grape Rag, Plan B, and Maelstrom.

With a suggested donation of €3, all proceeds go to Barretstown. Starts at 9pm.

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Kilcullen Community Centre AGM report

Photo: Kilcullen Community Centre website.

At the AGM of Kilcullen Community Centre held on Tuesday 6 November 2018, the Chairman thanked all board members, manager and CE staff for their work in 2018.

In 2018 our focus was on improving the general appearance of the centre; upgrading the AWP and floodlighting, and updating our Health and Safety Policies.

A high level of satisfaction was expressed on progress of the above and Claire Crawford and her crew were thanked by all.

Both Martin Murphy of Murphy Design & Build and Murphy Surveys were thanked for their help with the rear office ongoing structural investigations.

Martin Heydon was thanked for his help with our DTTAS funding for the AWP resurface.

Our Project List has been updated and includes the Kilcullen 700 event and to fully light the hard core walkway and track thru the centre and surrounding area.

Cathy Phelan was appointed as Company Secretary.

Darragh Fitzgerald presented our 2017 accounts showing a small surplus, after expenditure, of €2,339. The single item major expense was on the refurbishment of the main gym floor at c€16,000. The high cost of insurance was noted. Details of income and expenditure expectations for 2018 were also discussed.

Manager's Report
Claire Crawford made her report on a busy year. The centre was cleaned internally and externally and painted. The Connolly Function Room now has A/C units. The Carter Meeting Room has a new floor and blinds. Tea and coffee facilities are proving popular in our downstairs kitchen.

Elite Electrical have been busy replacing the 35-year-old wiring and upgrading the electrical fittings. The main fuse-board will be replaced next year.

The All Weather Pitch has been resurfaced, nets replaced, floodlights repaired and new ducting installed.

Broadband has arrived, and our new online booking system 'Openplay' has been installed. We expect bookings can be made from our APP, Facebook, and on our planned new website.

The centre and all weather pitch caters for many sports groups and community activities and we reached full occupancy in October.

Health and Safety
The Safety Statement and Fire Policy have been reviewed, the fire alarm and extinguishers replaced and serviced. Policy and Procedures are under continuous review. New signage has been provided.

Plans for 2019
AWP — additional Gate/Grid entrance
Emergency Door and Frame — replace.
Main Hall — exterior paint
Installation of wheelchair accessible toilet.
Car Park drive in access review and new markings
Main ESB fuse board — replace with ELCB
External signage.

The full list and accounts will be viewable on our website.

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Wildlife carers needed

Pic: KAF Facebook page.

The Kildare Animal Foundation is looking for new volunteers for its Wildlife Unit.

Summer volunteers have mostly gone back to college and getting on with life, so the Foundation is now looking for new volunteers that can help over the coming few months.

'Over the next few months we will see lots of hedgehogs that are too small or sick to hibernate, the Foundation has posted on its Facebook page. 'We will see birds suffering from the stormy and cold weather, we will see foxes battling mange and a huge range of animals becoming victims of our roads.

'We are looked for energetic and committed people who like to work as a team and can give up a few hours each week to volunteer at our centre. We will provide full training and support. It’s a fantastic opportunity for people to get up close and personal with our native wildlife and to help them get better and back out to the wild again.

'If you would like to get involved please contact Rita, one of our volunteer co-ordinators for more information. Rita can be reached at 087 922 8718.'

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Kilcullen 700 Table Quiz this week

A Table Quiz is being held on this coming Friday, 16 November, to raise funds towards the cost of functions planned for the Kilcullen 700 celebrations, writes Brian Byrne.

It is taking place in The Hideout, questions starting off at 9pm.

The usual Ts and Cs, €40 per team of four. Everybody welcome.






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Nutritional health meeting

A six-week Health Challenge being organised by local nurse Ramona McCormack is an opportunity for participants to go into 2019 in much better shape than perhaps they are now.

The Challenge will be based on the Nourished Lifestyle programme, a nutritional system recently launched in Europe and aimed at giving users more energy, help them lose weight, management of stress, improved fitness and better sleeping.

Full details of the Challenge will be available at a free event in Keadeen Hotel on Wednesday 28 November, starting off at 7.30pm, promised as 'an evening of fun, information and giveaways' around a scientifically proven and backed nutritional system and products.

"The Challenge is for anyone wanting to finish the year strong, and be ready to go into 2019 with a bang," Ramona says. "Perhaps someone is looking to slip into their party dress? Or wanting to create some new healthy habits. It's also for anyone in training for a fitness event that requires them to be in peak condition. For any of these, this is an opportunity to come along and learn a little more."

Any questions or to book a place at this free event, phone 086 3172663, or email ramonaoneill@isagenixs.com.


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