KILCULLEN WILL 'BATTLE' KCC SWIMMING BAN

Notices prohibiting swimming in the Liffey at a traditional swim space in Kilcullen have been posted by Kildare County Council, writes Brian Byrne. This is despite calls for the area, alongside the Riverside estates walkway, to be designated as an official safe swimming area.

The notices and lifebuoys were erected this week and follow a safety assessment by Waterways Ireland on behalf of the Council, related to the request for swimming area designation.

Local councillor Tracey O'Dwyer says she completely disagrees with the move and will be working to have the prohibition rescinded. "This is a battle that's only just beginning," she told the Diary.

The safety assessment has not been made available to councillors or the public, but the Diary understands that it deems the area as unsafe for swimming. We also understand that a recommendation is made to fence off the river in the area.

It's believed the safety assessment notes that the river periodically floods due to release of water by the ESB from Poulaphuca. "This has been the case since the Liffey has been used to generate electricity from 1944," says Cllr O'Dwyer. "We all swam in the Liffey growing up, and we used to always hear the siren from Poulaphuca, which gave us two hours to leave the river at Carnalway or Kilcullen." (Though the siren can no longer be heard, all of us growing up in Kilcullen knew the advance signs in the river that a flood was on the way - ED)

This past summer and in previous hot spells, the section of the river was much used by young people to cool off. Kilcullen resident Tony Gahan, a keen swimmer, has been leading the call for Designated Bathing, suggesting that a pontoon structure that would rise and fall with the flood could be located on the Riverside Manor bank side of the river. Responding to the news that the prohibition notices had been erected, he says he can't understand Kildare County Council's agenda. 

Swimming in Kilcullen and (inset) Tony Gahan.

"Putting up signs won't stop people swimming in the river," he said. "All we're looking for is a safe swimming area, like they have in many other parts of the country, on the Barrow and the Nore, in Leighlinbridge in County Carlow, for example. What's KCC's issue with Kilcullen?"

Designated Bathing waters are monitored, managed, and assessed under the requirements of the 2008 Bathing Water Quality Regulations, which were transposed from an EU Directive. Local authorities are required under the legislation to identify locations. In 2024, KCC sought public assistance in identifying locations so that a profile of each could be developed, including an assessment of the risk of pollution and what action would be taken if pollution occurs. Among details requested from the public were how popular swimming areas have been used, how many people use the site, what facilities (signage, parking, toilets) exist at the site, how accessible it is, and what safety issues exist.

As far as we know, no Designated Bathing waters have been established by KCC.  

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WARNINGS OVER CAR BREAK-IN ATTEMPTS

File image by Kool Shooters via Pexels.

Several reports have been made about attempts to break into cars in Kilcullen estates early this morning, writes Brian Byrne. Homeowners in Cnoc na Greine, Castlemartin, and Esker Lea have all reported the instances to the Gardaí.

The attempts, involving several individuals wearing face coverings, were all recorded between 5am-6am, with instances recorded on video doorbell devices. In one recording, the perpetrators were videoed trying to open the front door of a house. A Volkswagen Golf car being used by the individuals has been observed in one case.

Similar issues have been reported from Newbridge, Athy, and Naas from recent nights.

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NEW KILCULLEN THEATRE GROUP INAUGURATED

A new theatre group launched in Kilcullen last night is to begin rehearsals for Neil Simon's The Plaza Suite next week, writes Brian Byrne. There was a strong attendance for the inaugural meeting in O'Connell's Bar.

Sinead McKenna introduced the founding members of the Seventh Arch Theatre Group, explaining the origin of the name as an allegorical seventh arch to the bridge at Kilcullen. She says the genesis of the new group was to capture the creativity of the many new people who have come to live in the town over the last decade or so. 

"A lot of us have enjoyed acting, which is often the most obvious part, but others like the more technical and production end of things," she said. "We thought we'd put it out there, and see if there was enough interest to start something different, something new." As chair of the new group, she thanked all those who had turned up to the evening. "We were hoping, maybe, that we'd get even one or two new people, so it's fantastic to see so many people turning up."

Membership and Social Officer Dave Byrne said the ambition of the group was that all involved would be able to socialise together as well as carry out the theatrical work. Andrew O'Neill, Technical Officer, spoke of how his initial interest in set building had developed, through interaction with the other elements of production, to a deep involvement in sound and lighting. The Creative Director, Allan Clarke, emphasised the importance of the contributions that everyone involved makes to a production, whether acting, stage crew, or in technical aspects such as sound and lighting. He added that, while the group might be amateur, they would be working to a professional standard.

In the subsequent discussion, it was noted that the group hoped to produce at least two stage shows a year, as well as having workshops, improv sessions, and social outings. Queries on what level of commitment would be required were talked through, was was how to make sure that the group would be a 'safe space' and with 'no place for egos'. An annual membership fee of €20 was agreed, to help towards initial production and rights costs.

In all, 19 people attended the launch evening, and others who couldn't make last night's event are welcome to join at any stage. The eight founding members and their responsibilities are: Chair — Sinead McKenna, Secretary — Colette Murran, Treasurer — Fergus Ryan, PRO — Adam Treacy, Creative Director — Allan Clarke, Membership and Social Officer — Dave Byrne, Technical Officer — Andrew O'Neill, Production Officer — Enda O'Neill.

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STRONG SUPPORT FOR ANNA AT TQ

The winning team (above) in last night's Table Quiz supporting Anna McLeod's Arctic Trek for MS Ireland was Caitriona Poufong, Sean Landers, Michael Poufong, and Liz Cullen. The runner-up team (below) was Fiona Sloan, Orla O’Neill, Kieran Behan, and Ray Kelly.

Both teams are pictured with Anna. There was strong support for the event, held in Fallon’s.

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DUNLAVIN CHRISTMAS FAIR

The Dunlavin Christmas Fair will be held on Sunday, 22 November, between 11am and 5pm.

The Venue is St Kevin's Community College, Eircode W91 R971.

The event is supported by Dunlavin & District Forum. All are welcome.

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CPC SAFETY BARRIER EXTENSION REQUEST

Image: Google Maps.

A request that the safety barrier at CPC near the newly upgraded crossing be extended has been made to Kildare County Council by Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer. The matter will be discussed at the next meeting of the Kildare-Newbridge MD.

The councillor also has a motion asking that the council install the coloured pencil bollards at Brannockstown Community School.

In a question on the agenda, Cllr O'Dwyer is asking whether the council plans to paint the exterior of Kilcullen Library in 2027?

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TABLE QUIZ FOR ANNA'S ARCTIC TREK IN AID OF MS IRELAND

A reminder that a Table Quiz is being held in Fallon’s TONIGHT, the 12th, to support local woman Anna McLeod's Arctic Trek in January in aid of MS Ireland, writes Brian Byrne. Anna lives with multiple sclerosis, and will be among a group of adventurous women who will do the eight-day Arctic tundra expedition. 

The Table Quiz kicks off at 8pm, with the usual cost of €10 per person.

Two-thirds of people diagnosed with MS are women, and the Arctic Trek fundraiser has a target total of €67,500. There are 14 participants in the fundraiser, which will take place between 24 and 31 January 2027. 

Anna, who was diagnosed with MS 12 years ago, is one of almost 11,000 people in Ireland who are living with MS and is an ambassador for MS Ireland. Earlier this year she took part in the May 50K fundraiser and awareness event in Ireland. 

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TRAFFIC UPDATE

Image: TII.

8.15am: Traffic locally no issues. Intermittently slow from Rathcoole to Red Cow. Northbound M50  from Red Cow slow but moving. Earlier congestion through  Tallaght J11 has now eased.

There will be rolling closures on N7 inbound from Casement Aerodrome through the morning as dignitaries fly in for EU meetings.  

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SEVENTH ARCH THEATRE GROUP LAUNCHING

A reminder that a new community drama troupe, Seventh Arch Theatre Group, is launching in Kilcullen TONIGHT, 12 November 2026, at 8pm in O’Connell’s Bar. Open to adults, the group welcomes actors, backstage volunteers, and anyone interested in theatre or seeking a new social outlet.

The launch evening will introduce the founding committee, outline plans, and provide an opportunity for prospective members to meet the team and learn how to get involved. No prior theatre experience required.

For more information, contact 7tharchtheatre@gmail.com.

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