Tickets available for Walworth Farce Gala Night

Kilcullen Drama Group is presenting a very special evening that is sure to be the highlight of the month, with proceeds going to Kilcullen Community Centre to assist with the upkeep and improvement of the centre, writes centre manager Enda O'Neill.

On Friday, 17th April, the group will open their doors at 7:30pm for a memorable gala night of The Walworth Farce, written by Enda Walsh. Before the curtain rises at 8pm, join us for a welcoming reception with wine and delicious treats — perfect for catching up with friends and getting in the mood for a fantastic show.

This production features a talented and experienced cast: Maurice O’Mahony, Allan Clarke, Adam Tracey, and Sinead O’Neill, each bringing their own spark to the stage. Whether you’re a theatre lover or simply looking for a great night out, you won’t want to miss this performance.

Tickets are just €20 each and can be purchased at The Coffee Hatch in Kilcullen Community Centre, on Eventbrite, or Woodbine Books. They’re going quickly, so be sure to grab yours soon and spread the word!

Looking forward to seeing you all there for an evening of entertainment, laughter, and community.

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Bands Night for Julie in Dunlavin

A fundraising night is being held at The Pumphouse in Dunlavin on Friday, 24 April, to support treatment for Julie Kelly, who has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. The event will feature music by several local bands and an auction of sports memorabilia.

There will also be an Agnes Browne Lookalike competition on the night, which starts at 8pm at the town's popular restaurant.

Julie, just 51, has been recommended for stem cell treatment to extend her life. However, the treatment is not available through the public health system here, and Julie's family and many friends in Dunlavin have come together to raise funds so she can access it.

Music on the night is performed by Willie Bracken, Neon Moon, and Ray Dalton, in support of their Kelly musical family friend.

The Sports Memorabilia Auction will feature signed GAA jerseys and T-shirts, rounds of golf, signed footballs, and more. Admission to the event is by donation.

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Ballyshannon NS fundraiser at Martinstown

The Parents Association of Ballyshannon National School is organising a fundraising event, Spring Fest, at Martinstown House, The Curragh, on Sunday, 19 April 2026, from 12pm to 4pm.

Spring Fest will be a fun-filled afternoon for adults and children alike. The event will feature live music, children’s games, storytelling and crafts, face-painting, and a range of food and drink options, including a pizza truck, coffee truck and bar.

There's also a raffle with a wide selection of prizes sponsored by local businesses and supporters. Among the prizes on offer are:

• Kildare Fire Logs voucher (€200)

• The K Club hotel voucher (€100)

• The Yurt voucher (€100)

• Crookstown Tyres & Batteries Ltd voucher (€100)

• Playbarn vouchers (10 admit-one passes) valued at €115

• Faerly hamper (€90)

• Kildare Bouncy Castles (€80)

• Burkes Pharmacy hamper (€80)

• Mondello Historic Festival family passes

• Vouchers and prizes from The Potting Shed, Dome Carlow, Mels of Narraghmore, Lily and Wild, TRM Pet, Punchestown, Lullymore, Kalbarri, Shackleton Experience, K Leisure, Treasured Toys, Eabha Crystals, Pumpkin Patch Kildare, Grangecon Kitchen, and many more, including family days out, toy sets, haircare products, hampers and activity vouchers.

Tickets for both the event and the raffle are available on Eventbrite by searching “Spring Fest Martinstown House” or by using the QR codes featured on Ballyshannon National School Parents Association’s promotional material.

All funds raised will go towards supporting Ballyshannon National School. Updates and further details are available on Instagram at @ballyshannonsparentscouncil.

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Tidy Towns networking evening

Image: Ballymore Eustace Tidy Towns.

Representatives of Kilcullen’s Tidy Towns group were among those who attended last night's inaugural Networking Evening hosted by Ballymore Eustace Tidy Towns. 

Along with counterparts from Hollywood and Blessington, the gathering discussed the challenges and successes of their respective projects. Emer Conway, a mentor in the Sustainable Energy Communities network, was also present at the event, which everyone regarded as positive, sharing valuable information and ideas. 

Coffee, cake, and camaraderie marked the start of a promising long-term collaboration.

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Deadline looms for June Fest short story competition

With just one week remaining until the submission deadline on 7 April, writers should finalise their entries for the Newbridge June Fest National Short Story Competition. 

Participants should submit a 2,000-word story for a chance to win writer-specific prizes. The winner will receive a week’s residency at the renowned Tyrone Guthrie Centre in Annamakerrig, Monaghan, while the second prize offers a workshop of the winner’s choice with the Kildare Writing Centre. 

Entries will be judged by writer John MacKenna, whose latest book is The Lock-Keeper’s Wife. 

With the bank holiday weekend approaching, writers are encouraged to complete their final edits to ensure their submissions are ready on time.

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Parish Lotto Draw results

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on 31st March 2026 were 1, 8, 10 and 13. 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 €4,600.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws are Ann Delaney (Promoter Anne Brennan), Fr Niall Mackey (The Parish) and Michael Dixon (Kay Dixon).

The winners of the Promoters Draw were Wednesday Bridge Club and Wednesday Bridge Club, and the winner of the draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Ger Kelly.

The Parish thanks all who support the Lotto.

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Refusal of permission for Riverside development upheld by ACP

A decision by Kildare County Council to refuse planning permission for 74 homes adjacent to Riverside Crescent has been upheld by An Coimisiún Pleanála, writes Brian Byrne. The application and appeal had been lodged by Rivermanor Developments Limited. 

The reasons for the KCC refusal related to the proposed use of underground attenuation tanks for drainage, street design, and the removal of existing hedgerows and trees. The ACP decision upheld the first of those.

The Commission stated that it was not satisfied that the proposed development would comply with Objective IN 024 of the Kildare County Development Plan and Objective ST KL47 of the Kilcullen Settlement Plan, which state that underground tanks and storage systems will not be accepted under public open space as part of a Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) solution. The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to proper planning and sustainable development of the area. In this, the ACP agreed with its Inspector's opinion that the KCC refusal should be upheld. 

In a detailed report, the ACP Inspector suggested that the issue could be resolved by redesigning the proposed development to provide a larger area of public open space, achieved by removing some dwellings and replacing them with open space. 

The Inspector concluded that the reasons given by Kildare County Council for refusal regarding street design and the removal of hedgerows and trees were unwarranted. He disagreed with the planning authority’s assessment of poor urban design, stating the proposal demonstrates a clear street hierarchy and reasonable levels of permeability. The Inspector also agreed with the applicant that the site was of low ecological value and had been cleared multiple times in the past. He concluded the proposed landscaping, which will include 120 new trees, would actually result in a net biodiversity gain.

His assessment also addressed potential flooding concerns, boundary treatment, and the potential impact on European Sites. 

The ACP decision was signed on 19 March 2026. The original application had been refused by Kildare planners on 17 November 2025.

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Businesses asked to take economic outlook survey

Kildare businesses are being invited to participate in an online survey spanning four Greater Dublin local authority areas, writes Brian Byrne. The joint Business Environment & Economic Outlook Survey 2026 has been launched by Fingal Chamber, South Dublin Chamber, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Chamber, and County Kildare Chamber.

The survey aims to gather insights on trading conditions, workforce issues, and investment confidence. The survey intends to support engagement with local authorities and policymakers ahead of Budget 2027, addressing concerns such as housing affordability, transport connectivity, and infrastructure capacity.

Open to businesses of all sizes, the survey takes approximately six minutes to complete and will inform joint advocacy and policy submissions. 

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More success from Kilcullen cyclists

Kilcullen CC Murphy Geospatial riders are continuing their current run of successes, writes Brian Byrne, with further achievement at the Des Hanlon Memorial race in Carlow. 

Tom Hughes (above) emerged victorious in the 82 km C2 category, while Conor Regan secured a commendable second place. 

In the C3 race, Dathai Killeen finished as the runner-up, earning enough points to earn a promotion to the C2 category.

It was the 45th edition of the Des Hanlon Memorial, hosted by Carlow CRC.

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Tennis club on membership drive

Kilcullen Tennis Club is seeking new members as it opens registration for the 2026/27 season. 

The club invites both beginners and seasoned players to join and is offering a special promotion of 15 months of membership for the price of 12. This limited-time offer is available starting 1 April. 

Those interested can sign up through the club’s website.

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Wedding Open Day at Martinstown House

Martinstown House in Ballysax will host a wedding open day on Sunday, 12 April, from 1-5pm. 

Prospective couples can explore the stunning Strawberry Gothic-style cottage venue, gardens, and woodlands without an appointment. 

Located at R56 KV78, this event offers a unique chance to experience the venue’s charm firsthand.

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