A successful Mountain Flow Yoga Open Day

Beata on the right with three of the Mountain Flow teachers: Aneca Mroz, Katie Fisk, and Claire Brady .

Though both were running wellness-related businesses in Kilcullen, Beata Zielinska and Stephen Bunney didn't really know each other, writes Brian Byrne. Until they both recently happened to be attending the same weekend course in Galway, on the rather specialised subject of oxygen advantage. 

They got chatting, sharing a laugh about the fact that of the 30 participants, two were from Kilcullen. Beata was the co-founder of No1 Fitness in 2015, and Stephen had set up his Warrior Wellness Yoga studio in Hillcrest some years ago. "Then he mentioned he was selling the business, taking a break for family and work reasons," Beata told me at yesterday's Open Day launch of her Mountain Flow Yoga. "I had wanted a cosy place for yoga, which I teach at No1 Fitness, but it would always be just a part of that operation." 

Looking back on that Galway meeting and the subsequent happenings, she believes there was an unanticipated alignment of forces. "The fact that the two of us would be at that course — he said that it had been very likely that he wouldn't attend. That he happened to be sitting behind me in the group. That a yoga space of my own was something that I instinctively wanted." But it was also something she hadn't gone looking for, and that she admits she wasn't ready for. 

There were financial considerations. Also, the fact was that she was, and will remain, full-time at No1 Fitness. "For several days, I talked about it with my husband, Michael. I won't lie, I was scared. It wasn't something we had planned, but then, after a few days, I woke up with the decision made: I will do this. This is my future." 

Beata's interest in yoga stemmed from sports injuries she sustained during her fitness and competitive regimen. Physiotherapy had only resulted in limited improvement, so she explored alternatives about seven years ago. She found Yin Yoga, a slow-paced, passive style that targets deep connective tissues, promotes stillness, calms the mind, supports flexibility, and helps release tension. And for Beata, it worked, to the point that she undertook an instructor's course in Croatia in 2019 and later introduced the discipline to the schedule at No1 Fitness as an option for athletes who use the gym. "I got a huge result there, because the athletes had not taken the time to do yoga. When they did, they could feel both physical and mental changes." 

Beata was already known to the community at Warrior Wellness, which has helped in the transition. All but one of the instructors are staying — "the other girl is setting up her own studio in Blessington" — and the programmes established by Stephen Bunney will remain. "It's important to maintain the energy established by Stephen. Of course, there will be my own energy, different as a female, but I'm not going to change anything except external things. It's a lovely team here, and I'll be the coordinator as well as teaching myself." 

The current programmes include mixed-level dynamic Vinyasa, restorative yoga, chair yoga, Hatha, mindful Yin, Ashtanga Vinyasa, Vinyasa flow, yoga for strength and stability, and Pilates. Events and workshops are also planned, led by both in-house and guest teachers, and there will be yoga retreats. Techniques covered include mindfulness and breathwork, and there will also be hiking. 

The Open Day yesterday afternoon was very well attended, as evidenced by the photos below from Ola Kearney, provided by Mountain Flow Yoga. Further information can be obtained at 087 3631154 or by email at hello@mountainflow.ie.

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CPC girls heading for Kenya next week

Paddy O'Connor with Faye McNally and Aoife Moran (Julia Noble wasn't available for the photo).

Three Fifth-Year students from CPC will be among a group of 40 young people and adult volunteers heading out on Monday to spend two weeks working at the Cara Girls Rescue Centre outside Nairobi, Kenya, writes Brian Byrne. They are the latest local young people to participate in a project that has been running for around two decades.

The Cara Projects initiative was started by Ballysax man Paddy O'Connor, who voluntarily worked on building schools in Ngong, bringing fellow tradesmen out to Kenya for short stints to help. He established the Girls Rescue Centre about 15 years ago on land he purchased in Kibiko. The volunteer groups that travel each January and February currently work on building new homes for local families.

The three CPC students on this latest trip are Faye McNally, Aoife Moran, and Julia Noble. For Aoife, it's a second time travelling — she participated in the January trip last year as a TY student. She says it was "the best two weeks of my life, and I just had to go back again." Interaction with the children at the centre was what made it such a great experience, she said. Faye had hoped to travel last year as a TY student but wasn't selected — more than 200 would-be volunteers apply for each trip from schools across Kildare and Dublin. She's very much looking forward to the experience.

Each participant had to raise €2,500, and the three CPC girls did so through a series of bake sales, a pyjama day at the school, bag-packing at Dunnes Stores, and donations from family and friends who wanted to help. Their final fundraiser was last evening with a table quiz in Fallons. The three girls are very grateful for the support they received from their families and friends, as well as from the teachers at CPC.

Cara Projects works with members of the Maasai tribe in the region, and Paddy O'Connor says the initiative has helped around 800 girls since its inception. The aid includes skills teaching and providing long-term support, such as paying school fees. "Some of our children are now grown up, some of them married," he notes, adding that over the years he has observed positive changes in attitudes towards girls and women. Apart from poverty, key issues have been cultural, including early marriage and the practice of female genital mutilation.

"Change is happening, through education and the work of our local teams," he says. "It won't work by outsiders imposing our attitudes." An important factor has been building trust within the local community. "That can be hard to do, but it is definitely, definitely changing."

Regarding the work of the young volunteers, he has a simple message: "There is nothing wrong with our Irish teenagers. I've brought over 700 of them to Kenya, and they are caring, capable, and compassionate."

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Film screening for seniors

A special free screening of the film Thelma for Kilcullen seniors will take place on Saturday, 21 February, writes Brian Byrne. The showing at Kilcullen Town Hall is courtesy of Kilcullen Lions in partnership with Kilcullen Bridge Cinema. 

Duped by a phone scammer, Thelma is inspired by action hero Tom Cruise to reclaim her money on her own Mission Impossible. It's a feel-good film about resilience, described as refreshingly original, warm, funny, and empowering. 

The film night will start at 7pm with refreshments and is part of the Brigid Film Season 2026, supported by Kildare County Council.

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Open Day at Mountain Flow Yoga

An Open Day event is taking place at the newly named Mountain Flow Yoga & Coaching studio today, Saturday, from 2pm to 5pm.

"It's an opportunity to join the inauguration of Mountain Flow, meet the instructors, explore the premises, and participate in some demonstration exercises," says Beata Zielinska, who has taken over the studio from Stephen Bunney. "There will be refreshments including coffee and tea, healthy treats, a raffle prize, and small surprises." 

Further information is available by ringing 087 9754415.

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Applications open for Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026

TG4 and Adare Productions are searching for the Top 10 young singers or groups in Ireland to represent the country at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026.

Auditions will be held across Ireland in March 2026. From these, ten talented musicians will be selected to compete in-studio for the opportunity to represent Ireland at the contest. The winner will face contestants from over 16 other European countries. With over 7.5 million viewers across Europe, the show is a spectacular event.

Applications are open to solos, duets, and groups of up to six members. To apply, send a 40-second video of the applicant singing. Apply now at www.tg4.ie/junioreurovision or for further information contact 083 1322683 or email junioreurovision@adareproductions.ie.

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Sketchbook Club at Woodbine Books

A Kilcullen Sketchbook Club will be inaugurated on 16 February at 6pm at Woodbine Books. The initiative is funded by the Books at One Community Prize Fund.  

Initiated by the organisers of the previous Drop-in & Draw events in the Heritage centre, the monthly meetups are open to all and provide a great opportunity to draw, chat, and exchange ideas. The cost is a sketchbook available for purchase on the first night.

This is a collaborative, encouraging, and open space for all creatively inclined people. For more information, send a direct message here. 

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Mary Berney celebrates 80th

Mary and her three sisters, Ann Meehan, Breda Maguire and Helen Sheehan. (Photos by Pat Foley.)

Mary Berney would like to thank all the friends and family who shared in the recent celebration of her 80th birthday. It was a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable day. 

The celebration was extra special for Mary, as her youngest daughter, Laura, and her grandsons, Finn and Rory, were home from Australia for a visit.

Laura (Berney) Gray and sons, Finn and Rory Gray.

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CPC students' table quiz for Cara Projects

A reminder that three students from CPC are running a table quiz TONIGHT, Friday 6 February, in aid of Cara Projects, an Irish-founded NGO that works in Kenya on child protection.

The event kicks off at 7pm, and tickets are €10 per person, available at the door. There are great prizes to be won, and all support is very welcome. Complimentary food is kindly provided by Fallons.

Cara Projects, a registered charity in both Ireland and Kenya (CHY18652), operates the Cara Girls Rescue Centre, promoting healthcare, education, gender equality, economic empowerment, and sustainable development. It is a non-denominational and non-political organisation. 

The organisation's main aim is to support disadvantaged mothers and children, enabling them to contribute to the development of their own communities and the country as a whole.

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