Dowling Property: Whitethorn, Athgarvan

Welcome to No. 43. Dowling Property is honoured to present this elegant four-bedroom, semi-detached residence for sale. Situated within the small and highly desirable development of "Whitethorn," constructed by Garyaron Homes to the most exacting standards, this exemplary A3 energy-efficient dwelling is maintained in excellent condition throughout and is ready for new owners to "walk in and hang up their hat."

The accommodation is bright and spacious, and spans three floors and approximately 160 square metres. It comprises an entrance hallway, guest WC, sitting room, kitchen-dining room, utility room, and an extended family room. The first floor features three double bedrooms, one with an en-suite, and a family bathroom. The second floor hosts the master bedroom suite, complete with an en-suite and a walk-in wardrobe. The highlight of the property is the recently extended family room adjacent to the kitchen. Heating is gas, supplemented by solar panels, thereby enhancing its A3 energy efficiency credentials.

The private rear garden includes a substantial garage space to the side, which would be ideal for campervan parking and a block-built shed. 

The location is simply first-class with easy access to Kilcullen, Newbridge, and the M7/M9 motorways. A range of amenities, including a convenience store, gift shop, and pub-restaurant, are situated nearby. Newbridge, approximately 5 kilometres away, offers a broad selection of shops along with a number of schools. Athgarvan also has a primary school and creche.

We highly recommend early viewing of this gorgeous home, as it truly is a gem!

AMV €499,950. dowlingproperty.ie. Kildare Office 045 482189.

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Kilcullen First Responders seek new volunteers

Kilcullen Community First Responders is inviting new members to join its voluntary group supporting the community in emergencies. 

While awaiting the arrival of National Ambulance Service personnel, group members respond to incidents that involve chest pain, cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, choking, and stroke. Full training and ongoing support will be provided to volunteers.

Anyone interested in gaining life-saving skills and helping neighbours in need can learn more about the service and consider joining the team. More information by emailing kilcullenfirstresponders@gmail.com.

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Kaleidoscope family ticket a Steiner raffle prize

Kildare Steiner School is offering a family pass to the Kaleidoscope music festival as one of the top prizes in its Spring Family Festival raffle. The school's Spring Festival is on Sunday, 10 May, at Martinstown House.

The prize allows the winning family to attend the popular music and arts festival at Russborough from 3–5 July 2026. It's just one of many prizes in the raffle, which has a total value of more than €2,000. Among them are glamping experiences, artwork, memberships, massages, vouchers, book tokens, and more. The prizes range in value from €12.50 to €650. 

Tickets can be bought at this iDonate link. 

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Busy summer for County Kildare Chamber

County Kildare Chamber is set for a busy summer period, with a packed programme of events for both members and non-members, aimed at supporting networking, learning, and business development.

The schedule includes the weekly Wednesday Morning Networking sessions at the Chamber office, featuring guest speakers on topics such as succession planning, innovation, and marketing. 

Among the headline events are a Lunch & Learn in Lawlor’s of Naas on 7 May with AI Ireland founder Mark Kelly, a member-only Business After Hours at Weston Airport on 21 May, the Annual Golf Classic at The K Club, and a further Business After Hours event at Kildare Business Innovation Campus on 9 September.

The events are designed to give businesses opportunities to connect, share insights, and explore new ideas over the coming months. For further information, please contact michael@countykildarechamber.ie or visit countykildarechamber.ie/.

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Parish Lotto Draw results

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on 28th April 2026 were 8, 23, 25 and 29. There was no Jackpot winner, and next week's main prize will again be €20,000. The value of the follow-up draws is €20,000 and €5,400.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws are Colm Egan (Promoter Vanessa Clarke), Anna Brennan (Toby Phelan) and Anna Jennings (New Abbey Bridge Club).

The winners of the Promoters Draw were Vivian Clarke and The Parish Office, and the winner of the draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Liam McDonnell.

The Parish thanks all who support the Lotto.

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ELMS Montessori to Host Open Day

ELMS Early Learning Montessori School will hold an Open Day on Saturday, 9 May at 10.30am in its premises at Kilcullen Community Centre.

The event will give parents and guardians an opportunity to meet the team, explore the classrooms, and learn more about the school’s Montessori approach in a child-centred environment. Information will also be available on free ECCE places offered by the school.

The open day is aimed at families interested in early years education and those considering Montessori for their children.

For further details, contact ELMS Montessori on 087 6343037 or visit www.elmsmontessori.ie.

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Kildare County Council April meeting notes

Kildare County Council is undertaking a major enhancement of local walking and cycling infrastructure in 2026, backed by €9.5 million for active travel initiatives, writes Brian Byrne. Funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA), the investment will support new schemes in Leixlip (Green Lane and Captain’s Hill), Maynooth (Celbridge Road), and Monasterevin.

Details were presented at yesterday’s full Council meeting in a report responding to a motion from Councillors Pádraig McEvoy, Pat Balfe, Aoife Breslin, Angela Feeney, Anne Breen, Mark Leigh, Noel Heavey, David Trost, Noel Connolly, and Ger Dunne. The motion highlighted the need to reduce the county’s economic vulnerability to fossil-fuel price volatility while supporting local town centres.

Councillors heard that this latest funding follows the recent completion of projects in Naas and Maynooth, along with major developments such as the Grand Canal Greenway and Barrow Blueway. A bus shelter project due to begin in May will also improve facilities in villages, including Athgarvan, Broadford, and Castledermot. Officials said more than €20 million has been allocated to active travel measures during the current council term.

A motion proposing a “One-Stop Shop” pilot scheme for council services to simplify people’s access was resisted by the executive, which cited a projected cost of €400,000 and budget constraints. The motion, from Councillors Nuala Killeen, Paula Mulroe, and Claire O’Rourke, said people often face unnecessary difficulties because of fragmented systems and multiple contact points.

Officials said demand for in-person services is falling as more people use online platforms. They noted that the Athy customer service point had closed because of low demand, while external housing clinics had limited participation. The report said the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is under review to improve query routing, response quality, and data analytics. New software and staff training for the main telephone switchboard are also planned to improve call routing and overall performance.

In other matters, a proposal from Councillor Rupert Heather to extend public alcohol bye-laws to 0.0% alcohol products, aimed at protecting minors from “shared branding,” was discussed. The Council said it currently lacks the legal authority to enforce such a ban, as existing legislation does not cover non-alcoholic beverages.

Finally, officials said a request by Councillor Tom McDonnell to establish a dedicated Irish Language Unit was unnecessary, citing the effectiveness of existing measures and the high cost of creating a new department.

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Traffic warden issuing fines in Kilcullen

Enforcement of parking regulations at the new layout in downtown Kilcullen must be through a combination of traffic warden and Garda traffic policing, the recent Kilcullen Community Action AGM heard, writes Brian Byrne. The matter arose during a discussion about motorists who had parked on the recently completed footpaths. 

Eoin Houlihan suggested to the meeting that extra bollards could be installed near the pedestrian access points to discourage motorists from using them to get onto the footpath. 

Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer told the meeting that the council’s traffic warden was visiting the town every week and is issuing fines. “I know, because I’m getting the calls about them,” she said, adding that, while expensive, if extra bollards are needed, they will be provided. It was noted that footpath parking incidents were mainly happening in the evenings, when there was no traffic warden around. 

Dangerous and bad parking at pinch points on Main Street was also discussed. Antoinette Buckley reported one recent occasion when cars were parked so badly that a truck had great difficulty in getting through. 

The need for a pedestrian crossing at Nicholastown was also raised by Eoin Houlihan, who described the situation there as 'lethal', with lots of children needing to cross the road to the GAA campus. Cllr O'Dwyer said a request for a crossing had been considered by the council, along with town gates traffic calming. The council had confirmed it was warranted. "There is a commitment to do it, but it's down to funding."

READ: Tidy Towns gold medal a defining milestone - KCA AGM 

READ: KCA financial position is good 

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2025/2026 Nature Hero Awards deadline

Schools across the Republic of Ireland have until 29 May to enter the 2025/2026 Nature Hero Awards, Ireland’s standalone outdoor learning awards, writes Brian Byrne. The awards cover many topics from biodiversity actions, conservation and ecological literacy to responsible citizenship as well as physical and mental wellbeing.

Coordinated by Biodiversity in Schools in partnership with Glenveagh, the annual awards recognise biodiversity action and outdoor learning projects by students at pre-school, primary and secondary level. 

Participating schools can compete for a share of a €10,000 prize fund to improve their gardens, while achievement is also recognised through Bronze Badger, Silver Stag and Golden Eagle awards.

The winners will be announced in September.

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Kildare CU supports Halverstown CC

Members of Halverstown Cricket Club visited Kildare Credit Union to collect their cheque as part of the Credit Union's Community Outreach Programme 2026. 

Kildare Credit Union has branches in Kilcullen, Narraghmore, and Kildare.

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30 years of TY to be celebrated at CPC

A reminder that a reunion to celebrate 30 years of Transition Year at Cross and Passion College (CPC) in Kilcullen will bring together past and present members of the school community next month.

Current and former pupils, parents and guardians, staff, and local community members who have taken part in or supported the Transition Year (TY) programme are being invited to the school for a special TY30 Celebration on Wednesday, 6 May. The event will begin at 7:30pm in the school's Assembly Hall.

The evening will be an opportunity for shared memories, music and refreshments. Organisers say they are looking forward to welcoming familiar faces and marking the contribution that Transition Year has made to school and community life over the past 30 years.

If you're attending, please RSVP at this link.

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Fallons opening times for Punchestown

Fallons is now taking bookings for the Punchestown Festival and looks forward to welcoming guests for one of the restaurant's favourite weeks of the year.

Great food, great atmosphere, and a brilliant week in Kilcullen. Opening times are: Tuesday-Thursday: 5pm-9pm; Friday & Saturday: 12:30pm-9pm; Sunday: 12:30pm-7:30pm

Book online at www.fallons.ie.

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Junior prize for Kilcullen rider

Kilcullen Cycling Club rider Conor Regan took the Junior honours at the Bohermeen Youth 2 Day yesterday.

He's pictured being presented with the Jack McGlure Plate.

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Narraghmore call for planter/flower bed minders

Narraghmore Development CLG is asking members of the local community to help keep the village blooming this summer by taking care of one of its flower planters or beds.

Families and households are being invited to choose a planter or garden bed and look after it over the summer months. The commitment would involve regular watering and occasional weeding to keep the displays looking well.

Residents who would like to take part can select their preferred planter or bed on the sign-up form at this link, after which one will be allocated to them. Prizes will also be awarded at the end of the summer for the best-kept planters.

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Kildare Inclusivity Festival 2026

The 2026 Kildare Inclusivity Festival will be held at The Curragh Racecourse on Sunday, 10 May, from 11am to 6pm, bringing together families, community groups and organisations for a day focused on disability inclusion, accessibility and celebration.

Following a successful debut last year, this year’s festival will have a range of new features designed to make the event more welcoming for everyone.

The free family-friendly event, hosted by County Kildare Access Network (CKAN), Kildare County Council, and partners, will include a dedicated Quiet Zone, a Quiet Entrance, and a Quiet Hour from 11am to 12pm to support visitors who may benefit from a calmer environment.

Among the additions for 2026 are a Vehicle Demonstration Zone, an external music stage and the KARE Inclusive Sports Zone. Returning attractions will include the Family Fun Zone, Barretstown Magic Moments and CKAN’s Our World Inclusive Toy Display.

More information at www.ckan.ie.

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Have you lost your keys?

A set of keys has been found in the playground. They can be retrieved by calling 087 2821697.

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