GAA Awards presented

Kilcullen GAA Awards were presented in O'Connells Bar last evening by Dublin footballer Brian Fenton, 2018 Footballer of the Year and a three-times All Star, writes Grainne Timmons of Kilcullen GAA.

The awards and recipients included Minor Girl Jane O'Toole, Minor Boy Paudi Behan, Junior Player of the Year Ciarán Melinn, Senior Ladies Player Nanci Murphy, and Senior Mens Player Graham Lavin

The Minor Ladies Management team Conor O'Toole, Gabrielle and Fergus Aspell and Trevor Howard were presented with framed team photos from the county final.

The Senior Ladies management team Niall Timmons, Dan Bell, Aidan Gleeson and John Glendon were also presented with pictures from county final. The Feile Girls All Ireland winning coaches were presented with the Club Person of the Year award — Pat Devenney, Ger Breen, Nick Birchall, Kate Timmons and Eddie O'Loughlin.

The presentation pictures are courtesy of Conor Williams, and the pictures below of some of those enjoying the evening are by Brian Byrne.

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A great day for the Celebration Run

10K start.

On a perfect morning for running some 176 people competed in today's Celebration Run representing St Joseph's NS 60th anniversary and Kilcullen 700, writes Brian Byrne.

The first three home in the 5K, with 124 registered competitors, were Larry McCormack, Donny Maloney, and Rob Fitzgerald, and the first three women in the same category were Olivia Archbold, Mary Egan, and Barbara Chmura.

In the 10K Michael Gill, Seamus Cadiff and Stephen Nibbs were the first three home, with Emma Boylan (3rd overall), Nichola Charles, and Gabrielle Aspell with the same time as Sarah Baars, the first three-placed women.

5K start.

After the race, David Dempsey, Principal at St Joseph's NS, thanked all involved in organising, supporting, and participating in the event.

He especially thanked the sponsors who included Eurospar, Gilltown Stud, Doyles Funeral Directors, Gaffney Woodwork, Bardons, K Leisure, Woodbine Books, The Spout, Walls of Kilgowan, Nolans Butchers, and Bank of Ireland.

After presenting the winners with their prizes, and the raffle prizes, David Dempsey was presented with a framed copy of the Kilcullen 700 logo by Sabina Reddy, in appreciation of the school's support of the town's celebration of the 700th anniversary since the first bridge at Kilcullen was built.

A selection of photos below, the full set of Diary photos are available here.

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A little late, but magic still

Four days after the actual spring equinox, the magic can still happen if the weather allows, writes Brian Byrne.

And it did this morning at the Dun Ailinne Interpretive Park, the rising sun shining through that so carefully placed spear monument created by Noel Scullion.

It's the 11th year since the sculpture was put in place by Kilcullen Community Action, and though I haven't viewed the effect every one of those years, I've gotten a lot of them. We're officially out of winter.

It is still magic.

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Kilcullen 700, St Joseph's 60 Celebration Run today

A reminder that the Kilcullen Celebration Run is taking place today, Sunday 24 March, as part of the programme to mark the 60th anniversary of St Joseph's NS in Halverstown, writes Brian Byrne. It is also part of the celebration of the 700th anniversary of a bridge at Kilcullen.

The Run will be from Kilcullen Community Centre beginning at 11am. There are 5K and 10K options, and the operation of the event is by PopupRaces.ie.

Entry is €15-€20 on the day. A family rate is available for the 5K. €3 of each adult fees will go to the Irish Cancer Society — Kilcullen Relay for Life.

You can still enter, from 9.30 this morning.

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The passing of Shay Finglas

The Diary has learned of the death of Shay (James) Finglas, of Bishop Rogan Park, Kilcullen, and formerly of the Military College, Curragh Camp.

He passed away on March 23 2019, at his residence, deeply regretted by his loving wife Anne, children Pamela, Michelle, Shane and Terri, sons-in-law John, Niall and Pabo, daughter-in-law Paula, his brother Brendan and sisters Maureen, Rita and Geraldine, grandchildren Eoin, Liam, Sarah, Aron, Sam, Cillian, Alannah, Calum, Mia and Megan. He was predeceased by his brothers Michael and Terry, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Shay is reposing at his residence from 4 o'clock on Sunday afternoon with prayers at 8 o'clock. Removal from there on Monday morning at 10.30 o'clock to the Church of The Sacred Heart and St Brigid, Kilcullen, arriving for 11 o'clock Requiem Mass. His funeral will take place afterwards to St Brigid's Cemetery.

Family flowers only, please. Donations, if desired, may be made to The Friends of Naas Hospital. Donation box in church.

Rest in Peace.

Simple solution to Pinkeen Stream crossing issue?

A simple solution to the ongoing issue of the dangerous unofficial crossing of Pinkeen Stream came up during discussions at a recent meeting of Kilcullen Community Action, writes Brian Byrne.

The crossing is used hundreds of times a day by residents and children from the Cnoc na Greine estates to access the Community Centre campus and the national and secondary schools.

Repeated requests to Kildare County Council to consider a proper crossing, perhaps by a footbridge, have failed to bring a solution.

At the KCA meeting, the suggestion was to move the GAA Club gates a short way up the access lane to the club's premises. Because Pinkeen Stream is culverted to the Pitch and Putt Club just inside the existing gates position, this would mean that a simple opening in the wall to Cnoc na Greine Avenue would then leave a safe and easy passage without the need to cross the stream directly.

It seems an elegant solution, which simply requires an agreement between the GAA, the Community Centre, and possibly Kildare County Council.

A small local meeting of stakeholders, anyone?

Possible new position for GAA gates. Pic: Google.

Previously on this issue:

'No resources' to provide Pinkeen Stream crossing.

Billy has a thought on a bridge over Pinkeen.

Cllr seeks crossings, pedestrian bridge, for Kilcullen.

Local issues, election, discussed at FG AGM.

Cllr to raise need for safe walkway to schools.


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Parking at pedestrian crossings

A Diary reader has sent in this photo to raise his concerns about cars parking close to pedestrian crossings in Kilcullen.

He reminds people that it is a dangerous situation when motorists park on the zig-zag lines on either side of such crossings. And he says he was recently close to being involved in an accident because of such parking.

The law is very straightforward on this. Yellow or white zig-zag lines at a zebra crossing means that there is no overtaking or parking allowed.

Also, regardless of road markings, it is illegal to park within 15 metres of a pedestrian crossing on a two-way street, or 15 metres before and five metres after such crossing on a one-way street.

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Sol missed breakfast

Though the weather has some sunshine promised over the weekend, the same Sol wasn't inclined to come through the clouds this morning for the annual Spring Equinox Saturday gathering at the Dun Ailinne monument, writes Brian Byrne.

Still, it was a nice morning to be up early, and there were a few new faces among the usual hardy group, and Ray Kelly got to have 'Happy Birthday' sung in Kilcullen's very special location. And the Interpretive Park was really looking good, thanks to the work by Michael Haslam on behalf of Kilcullen Community Action.

And then it was back to Ray and Fiona's home just down the road for the familiar brown bread, and sausages provided by Nolans, and tea and coffee and muffins and scones ...

Many thanks again for the Kelly hospitality. And as there's a window of a few days either side of the actual equinox of last Wednesday, there's always tomorrow morning? Maybe.

Half an hour later, above and below, Sol still wasn't inclined to appear.

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