Ceramics classes at Kildare Steiner School

Kildare Steiner School is offering ceramic workshops for all skill levels. Participants can create an oil burner or a fern tray during sessions on Friday, 20 February at 2pm (€65, lasting 2-4 hours) and Saturday, 21 February at 10am (€75, approximately 2.5 hours). 

All materials, firing, glazing, and room costs are included. Weekly ceramic classes are also available on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5pm, focusing on projects or wheel-throwing, with a fee of €30 that covers materials and costs. Advance booking is required. 

Children under 8, accompanied by an adult, can participate at no extra charge; those over 8 can work independently with a 50% discount. Contact the school at info@KildareSteinerSchool.ie or call Grazyna at 085 7071144.

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Pat Boran workshop in Woodbine Books

Irish poet, writer, and filmmaker Pat Boran will lead a workshop at Woodbine Books on Sunday, 1 March, from 2pm. The acclaimed artist, who has served as Writer-in-Residence at Dublin City Libraries, Dublin City University, and the Western Education and Library Centre in County Fermanagh, is a member of Aosdána, the association of creative artists in Ireland. 

Originally from Portlaoise, Boran now lives in Dublin and is known for his poetry and short film productions. He is a former editor of Poetry Ireland Review and the current editor and publisher of the poetry imprint Dedalus Press. 

Since receiving the Patrick Kavanagh Award for Poetry in 1989, Boran has published more than a dozen books of poetry and prose, and his works have been translated into many languages, including Italian, Portuguese, Hungarian, Macedonian, French, Greek, and Georgian. 

More details on the workshop from Woodbine Books.

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Souleymane’s Story in Kilcullen cinema tonight

Cinema is back in Kilcullen tonight, 17 February, with Souleymane’s Story. This award-winning film is the story of an asylum seeker living day to day in Paris.

A raw, compassionate, and quietly devastating portrayal of a man forced to live on the fringes of society. 

Tickets are available at Woodbine Books, Kilcullen, and on Eventbrite.

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Nominations open for KIldare Garda Youth Awards 2026

The Kildare Garda Division has announced the opening of nominations for the eighth annual Kildare Garda Youth Awards, celebrating young people aged 13–21 across County Kildare. 

The awards recognise youth contributions in various categories, including six individual awards (three from North Kildare and three from South Kildare), a Special Achievement Award for overcoming difficulties, an overall winner, a Voluntary Group Achievement Award, and a Community Safety Award. 

Winners will represent the division at the National Garda Youth Awards in November 2026. Nominations are open until March 20, 2026, and can be submitted via an online form or the QR code above. 

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Maintain Hope inaugural Walk-Run soon

There is still time to register for Maintain Hope's inaugural 5K & 10K Walk/Run on 1st March. It will be a timed, well-stewarded event, and every finisher will receive a unique souvenir medal. 

The event starts and ends at Kilcullen GAA. The 10k begins at 10.30am, and the 5k at 10.40am. 

Register now to avoid missing out on this fun event at JustRuns Events or scan the QR code above. 

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The passing of Barney Keogh

The death has occurred of Barney Keogh, Rossport, Ballina, Co Mayo, formerly of Brannockstown, peacefully at The Mayo Hospice, Castlebar, on 16 February 2026.

Predeceased by his son Barry, parents Anna May and Joseph, and brother Peter, Barney will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his loving family, wife Bernadette, sons Peter, Derek, Conor and Darren, brothers Cathal, Brendan, Kevin, Eugene, Liam, Joe and Francis (Australia), sister Anne Marie, daughters in law Tanya, Anna and Tara, sisters in law, grandchildren Mollie, Evie, James, Ciara and Kobe, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends, in particular Tony Flannery, Michéal Corduff, Gary Timlin, Kevin King, Anthony Gannon and Dónal Connolly.

Barney will be reposing at Healy’s Funeral Home, Barnatra (F26 DY62) on Wednesday, 18 February, from 5pm to 7pm, arriving at The Star Of The Sea Church, Cornboy (F26 PR90), at 8.30pm. Funeral Mass on Thursday, 19 February, at 12noon, with burial afterwards in Cornboy Cemetery.

Family flowers only with donations in lieu of flowers to Mayo Roscommon Hospice c/o Healy’s Funeral Directors, Barnatra.

House private, please.

May Barney's Kind and Gentle Soul Rest In Peace.

Whist Drive on Thursday

This month's Kilcullen Lions Whist Drive is this Thursday, 19 February.

As usual, the venue is Scoil Bhride, with play starting at 8pm.

All whist players welcome.

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GAA Lotto tonight is €2,700

Kilcullen GAA’s lotto draw this evening, 16 February, has a €2,700 jackpot. Tickets are €2 each or three for €5, available online, at Nolans Butchers, or from a committee member. Annual and multi-buy options are also available online.

The draw supports the club’s daily operations, including maintaining the lighting around the Community Walkway.  Members and supporters are encouraged to continue playing and invite others. The club has introduced an auto-renewal option for easy participation.

For more information and to play, visit this link or search for Clubforce Connect in your app store. The club appreciates the ongoing support and wishes everyone good luck.

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AI course for over 55s

A free, practical course on Artificial Intelligence for people aged 55 and over will be held at Naas Library next month, writes Brian Byrne. The ‘AI for Good’ programme, run by Maynooth University’s Academy for Good, offers a friendly environment for a hands-on introduction to AI. 

The course will be spread across three sessions on 6, 13, and 27 March. Participants will learn about AI, its relevance to everyday life, and how to use AI tools with guidance. A Certificate of Participation from Maynooth University will be issued.

Those interested can join the waiting list at this link.

This initiative is supported by Kildare County Council and promotes community skills for life and digital literacy.

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Kilcullen AFC Girls' Soccer Blitz

Kilcullen AFC is hosting a 7-a-side girls' soccer blitz on Sunday, 15 March. The event is open to players born between 2010 and 2013. 

The registration fee is €100 per team, with a maximum of 10 players per team. 

For more information, contact Rob at 086 4663401.

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Local businesses grants, supports information

Local Enterprise Office Kildare is hosting a series of free information sessions as part of Local Enterprise Week, aimed at assisting local businesses in starting, growing, or future-proofing their operations. 

The sessions will cover various grants and supports available to businesses in the area. The schedule includes:

- March 3: Energy Efficiency Grants. 

- March 3: Market Explorer Grant. 

- March 4: Start-Up Advice & Funding. 

- March 6: Grow Digital Voucher. 

Attendees will receive practical guidance, real funding opportunities, and expert advice. Early booking is encouraged to secure a spot.

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Councillor pushing for Green Dog Walkers scheme

Cllr Mark Leigh and, inset, the Kilkenny scheme.

A Green Dog Walkers scheme, aimed at changing attitudes towards dog fouling among a small group of owners, is being proposed for County Kildare, writes Brian Byrne. Athy-based councillor Mark Leigh has the issue on the agenda for the full council meeting on Monday, 23 February. 

The councillor's idea is that responsible dog owners would register for the scheme, pledging to always clean up after their dogs, and the council would provide branded hi-viz vests and dog waste bags to highlight their care for the community and environment. The local authority would also run awareness campaigns on local and social media. 

"I've been in touch with councillors in Kilkenny who introduced a similar scheme, and they tell me that there's a lot less dog fouling of the streets now," Cllr Leigh told the Diary. "It has been very successful there and in other counties, but we are lagging behind on the issue in Kildare." 

The councillor says that in Kildare, dog fouling seems to be 'left to everybody else to deal with'. "In Athy, we put up four dog waste bins, but that was through the Tidy Towns, and I sponsored one myself. In fairness, the council did install them for us, but a Tidy Towns community employment scheme person empties them. The council seems to have recused itself from anything that has to do with dog waste." 

Cllr Leigh, a dog owner himself, emphasises that the vast majority of dog owners are responsible in dealing with their waste. He believes that the visibility of a scheme that says, "I take pride in my dog, AND my environment" is a non-confrontational way to encourage others to take more care. 

He says that paying for the scheme should not be an issue, as there would likely be funds available from An Taisce and similar bodies to cover some of the expense.

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Rás Tailteann coming via Kilcullen

The final stage of Rás Tailteann 2026 will be via Kilcullen and Athgarvan on Sunday, 24 May, as part of the route from Carlow to the finish line at Dunboyne, writes Brian Byrne. The 142.4 km ride will include a climb at the Hill of Allen after passing through Newbridge and Milltown, continuing through Kilmeague and Prosperous before leaving County Kildare.

The grand finale begins in Carlow with a ceremonial roll-out before proceeding across mostly flat roads through Carlow and Kildare.

After crossing the finish line in Dunboyne for the first time, riders will tackle three laps of a challenging and technical 15 km circuit, where the final stage winner and overall champion of Rás Tailteann 2026 will be crowned.

Over the five-day race, beginning in Portlaoise and passing through counties Limerick, Kerry, Cork, Wexford, Wicklow, Carlow, Kildare, and Meath, the riders will have covered over 656 km.

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CPC Students on Garda TY programme

Image: Garda Siochana.

Students from Cross and Passion College recently participated in the Naas Community Policing Unit's TY Programme, during which they gained practical experience and insight into the work of An Garda Síochána. 

Highlights included taking part in the Early Drive Programme at Mondello Park to learn about road safety and responsible driving, acquiring lifesaving CPR skills with Kildare Civil Defence, visiting the Criminal Courts of Justice to observe the justice system in action, and touring the Garda College in Templemore, where future Gardaí undergo training. 

The students displayed impressive engagement, maturity, and enthusiasm, with such programmes helping to foster understanding, strengthen community bonds, and potentially inspire future members of An Garda Síochána.

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CU special loan rate for EVs

Kildare Credit Union is offering a special loan for electric and hybrid vehicles, with a variable interest rate of 6.25% (APR 6.43%). 

Customers can borrow €30,000 for an electric or hybrid car, with monthly repayments of approximately €336.85 over 10 years. The total repayment will be €40,407.82. 

Contact the credit union by phone at 045 521928, visit branches in Kildare, Kilcullen, or Narraghmore, or apply online.

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