OPEN DAY FOR 2027 JUNIOR INFANTS AT HALVERSTOWN NS

An open day at Halverstown National School for prospective Junior Infants will be held next Thursday, 15 October, from 1:15pm to 2:30pm. It will feature stories, sweet treats, and lots of fun.

The school has also provided details about the after-school care provided by Cairdeas Childcare, which includes an infant story club from 1:40pm to 2:40pm and a homework club from 2:40pm to 6:00pm, with flexible pick-up times. 

Children receive a snack during sessions, and evening activities include homework supervision and games. Various attendance options are available. 

Cairdeas is an independent registered company and all staff are fully trained, Garda vetted, and insured. Contact Mary Sherlock at 087 7798235 for any inquiries.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

ATHY HOSTING 26TH ERNEST SHACKLETON AUTUMN SCHOOL

Image: Shackleton Experience.

The 26th Ernest Shackleton Autumn School will take place next week from 16 to 18 October, welcoming polar enthusiasts, historians, and explorers for a weekend of talks, exhibitions, and interactive events celebrating polar history and exploration.

Highlights include youth workshops, global live-streamed panels, and the official opening by broadcaster Ryan Tubridy on Friday. Saturday features a lecture series at The Abbey, with talks by Katherine MacInnes, Craig Mathieson, and Stephen Marston, alongside the ShackleTown Market featuring polar books, arts, and crafts. The day concludes with a formal dinner at the Clanard Court Hotel. 

Sunday offers academic sessions, a screening of Zero Kelvin, and hands-on activities, including museum tours, polar photography, and explorations of ‘Shackleton Country’ with local award-winning author John MacKenna. 

Tickets are still available. Full weekend tickets cost €250, with Saturday day tickets at €90, Sunday day tickets at €70, and Autumn School Dinner tickets at €65. The Autumn School’s journal Nimrod will be on sale throughout the event.

FULL BROCHURE HERE

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

KILCULLEN PARISH NOVEMBER REMEMBRANCE MASS 2026

The November Remembrance Mass for those who died in the last year will take place in the Parish Church in Kilcullen on Friday 6 November at 7.30pm, writes Mary Dillon. At this mass we pray especially for the loved ones we lost since we met last November.

The service is in two parts. For those whose funerals took place in Kilcullen Parish we will call their names and a family member will put their names on the remembrance tree and light a candle in their honour.

We also remember those from the parish whose funerals took place elsewhere over the past year. Their names will be called out and a single large candle will be lit by Fr Gary in their memory.

We celebrate their memory, their contributions to our lives, our parish, and the happy times we had together.

After mass anyone in attendance who wishes to place a loved one’s name on the remembrance tree will get the opportunity to do so. This facility will also be available to anyone visiting the church during the month of November.

Nessa and Mary from the Parish Funeral Team will be in contact with families who have suffered a bereavement in the past year to ensure they have the details of the mass and what it entails for them on the night.

A lovely part of the evening is when we gather in the Parish Centre for a cup of tea and a chat. Everyone is very welcome to join us and share memories of loved ones gone before us.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

CANCER AWARENESS INFORMATION SESSION

Athy Cancer Support Group, supported by Kildare Age Friendly, is hosting a free Cancer Awareness Information Session on Wednesday, 21 October from 10am–1pm in the Clanard Court Hotel, Athy.

The session is open to anyone affected by cancer, as well as family members, friends and supporters, and will offer practical information, advice and support in a friendly and welcoming setting.

Guest speakers will cover a range of topics including prostate, lung, skin and breast cancer awareness, oncology advice, local cancer support services, practical and financial supports, transport and lived experiences.

Lunch will be provided and the event is open to people beyond the Athy area.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

LOTS OF INFORMATION AT COMMUNITY EXHIBITION

Dick Dunphy and Esther Reddy of Kilcullen Drama Group, with a display of many of its productions since the 1930s. The group has just begun rehearsals for a Dancing at Lughnasa production in February

There was a comprehensive range of information available through the morning at the Know Your Community Exhibition in the Community Centre, writes Brian Byrne. Whether the questions were on crime prevention, supports for living alone, rights and grants, and much more, there were several stands there to get the answers.

Community groups included Kilcullen's Drama crew, the Canoe Club, KCA, The Old Hardware (lovely scones and cakes and bread there!), Foroige Kildare, the new but already thriving Moone-Timolin Women's Circle, and the arts were represented by local artist Mary McGrath and the Leinster Platemaking Studio.

The busy Kildare Volunteer Centre was also represented, with a database of hundreds of opportunities for volunteering in the county, KARE was there, and several organisations which help the older cohort included Alone, Age-Friendly Ireland, and Active Retirement.

Maria Kavanagh, Deirdre Horan and Ann-Marie Potter of KARE, which provides care services for children and adults with intellectual disabilities across Kildare, East Offaly, and West Wicklow. These include day services, outreach, residential care, respite, sports, employment support, and school partnerships. Community employment programmes focus on placing participants with community childcare providers.

Sinead Pullen and Louise McGough of The Old Hardware, a very busy social enterprise, with the help of many local volunteers. Events include regular chair yoga, pilates, a Seniors coffee morning, a Chess & Draughts Club, Tai Chi and Social Tennis, and it is the HQ for the Village Voices choir.

Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer with the Exhibition organisers from the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme.

Cormac Fagan and Darren Devlin Roberts demonstrating Tap Retail Village Kilcullen, the latest initiative by Kilcullen's business community, which allows customers to order online and get free delivery.

Aileen Costello of Foróige. Foróige clubs provide a safe, community-based space for young people, offering activities beyond sports, with activities shaped by the youth and supported by volunteers. Foróige in Kildare is actively expanding its clubs, currently at seven and aiming for nine by year-end.

Sandra Shiels of Citizens Advice, which supports in areas such as social welfare, financial issues, immigration, visas, social housing, benefits, and grants. It offers a private, confidential, and non-judgemental space for individuals to gain understanding of their entitlements and discuss personal challenges.

Stephen Byrne of the KWETB Adult Education Guidance service, which offers community-based support for people aged 16 and over, including school leavers, graduates, and those new to Ireland. The service provides one-to-one guidance to help people identify next steps in education, training, volunteering, employment, or self-employment.

Community Gardai Jim Lacey (Kilcullen) and Sarah O'Sullivan (Naas). With dark evenings now here, they stressed the importance of heightened home vigilance, particularly ensuring doors are closed and locked against opportunistic thieves. They emphasised making sure homes look occupied when the owners are out — to Lock Up and Light Up.

Eva Barrett of the Griese Youth Theatre. Established in 1999 as a social inclusion project, has grown to serve around 90 young people aged six to 18 through workshops and projects. Based at the Meeting House in Ballitore, it has been selected as one of four national youth theatres in Ireland for a year-long initiative with Youth Theatre Ireland.

Susie Doyle of Age-Friendly Ireland, which provides a county-based service funded by the HSE, delivered through local authorities, to support older people with proactive advice, referrals, and practical assistance. The service helps people future-proof their homes and access support such as grants, home adaptations, fire alarms, pendant alarms, and healthcare referrals.

Amanda Dempsey and Michelle Casey of the Kildare Volunteer Centre. The Centre collaborates with approximately 500 not-for-profit organisations, facilitating volunteering opportunities across various sectors.

Jo Howard and Mary McGrath of the Leinster Platemaking Studio. The studio specialises in printmaking, employing techniques such as drypoint, acid etching, and photo etching, and hosts exhibitions, printmaking facilities and workshops.

Tara Phibbs, Deirdre Dunne, and Eithne Pufong, at the Alone stand. The service assists with practical issues such as cost-of-living, energy concerns, transport, housing grants, and adaptations. Befriending services include weekly telephone calls and in-person visits for companionship.

Lisa Lawler, Ruth Scally, Sharon Byrne, and Anna Nolan of the Moone-Timolin Women's Circle. The group offers activities such as fitness classes, walking, crochet, bingo, and talks at several local venues, and plans for 2027 involve digital skills, and DIY workshops.

Pat Clarke and Noel Clare of KCA, the umbrella group for the Tidy Towns effort and other community initiatives, showing off the bronze, silver and gold medals won in recent years for Tidy Towns.

Sabina Reddy of Kilcullen Canoe Club. The club is one of the oldest of its kind in the country, and is always open to new members.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

APPEAL TO PARENTS: 'SUPERVISE YOUR TEENAGERS'

Image: KCA.

The possibility of installing CCTV cameras in The Valley is being explored following new instances of extensive damage to facilities in the community-owned park, writes Brian Byrne. Gardaí have also been informed and are investigating.

The picnic area on the top path has been closed off until further notice, following a second bout of serious vandalism of the seats and table area.

In addition, a picnic table located at the riverbank was thrown into the Liffey and had to be recovered by Kilcullen Community Action CE workers yesterday. A bin is missing, and a lifebuoy and its rope also disappeared during the last month. KCA, who voluntarily maintain the park, say further damage has been done over recent weeks in other areas. 

The ongoing vandalism and anti-social behaviour was discussed at a recent KCA meeting, where 'great anger and disappointment' was expressed. "It's not just the expense, but the great amount of voluntary effort that is put into maintaining the area," one member of the group told the Diary.

A KCA post notes that the damage has coincided with large groups of young teenagers gathering in The Valley at night. The organisation has appealed to parents to play a greater role in the supervision of their children, and asks that any observed instances of anti-social behaviour be reported directly to the Gardaí. 

The anger of many in the wider Kilcullen community is also evident, with the situation roundly condemned as 'disgraceful carry-on’. "Nothing better to do, but ruin it for everybody else," is one of many similar comments on social media about the latest incidents. 

In March of this year, a full refurbishment of the picnic area was carried out by KCA workers and volunteers. Just weeks later, the table, first installed in 2020 and made of recycled plastic, was set on fire, and had to be sent away for repair.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

COMMUNITY GROUPS AND SERVICES FOR KILCULLEN EXHIBITION

A reminder that the Know Your Community Exhibition is being held at Kilcullen Community Centre TODAY, Friday, 9 October, writes Brian Byrne. The event is hosted by Kildare Leader Partnership and runs from 11am-2pm.

Those taking part include Tap Retail Kilcullen, The Old Hardware, Narraghmore; Small Jobs Kildare; Dúlra Cill Dara Forest School; Blueway Art Studio; Lullymore Heritage; Kildare Community Gardai; Kilcullen Drama Group; KARE; Age Friendly Kildare; Moone Timolin Women’s Circle; GROW Mental Health; Citizen’s Information; Volunteer Kildare; Leinster Print; SEAI; Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP); Kildare Leader; Age Action; and the Griese Youth Theatre. 

This event offers a valuable opportunity for the community to engage with these organisations. 

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

EXTENSIVE DAMAGE IN THE VALLEY

Due to extensive damage caused over the past week or two, the picnic area in The Valley has been closed off and is not available for use until further notice.  

Further damage has also been done in other areas of the valley over the same period. The picnic table thrown into the river was recovered by the KCA CE team.  

One of the bins missing from the area has not been found.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

NARRAGHMORE PINK RUN 2026

A reminder that the Narraghmore Pink Run, supporting Breast Cancer Ireland, will take place on Sunday, 18 October, at 11am. Participants can choose between a 5km or 10km walk/run starting from The Old Hardware. 

Registration is available on the day, with a €5 donation for individuals and €20 for families. Funds raised will aid in breast cancer research.

For more information and to donate, visit this link. 

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

DANCING AT LUGHNASA FOR KILCULLEN IN FEBRUARY

Image: Kilcullen Drama Group.

Dancing at Lughnasa has been announced as the next play to be presented by Kilcullen Drama Group, writes Brian Byrne. The play was revealed at last evening's Open Casting call, which was very well attended in the Town Hall.

The group has thanked those who came for last night's readings, describing it as a brilliant turnout of both existing and new members. "Our Director has some tough decisions to make following the incredible display of talent."

The play, written by Brian Friel, is set in Donegal in the summer of 1936 and is loosely based on the lives of Friel's mother and aunts who lived in Glenties.

Written in 1990, the play has a string of awards to its credit, including the 1991 Olivier Award for Best Play of the Year and the 1992 Tony Award for Best Play.

It was last performed by the Kilcullen group in 2011.   The new production will be in February of 2027.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy

EIR SWITCHING OFF ITS 3G NETWORK

Eir will begin retiring its 3G network in Kildare on 14 October, as part of a nationwide effort to enhance 4G and 5G services. The switch-off is happening in phases across all counties. 

Most customers, who already use 4G and 5G, will not be affected. However, a small number of 3G-only users have been contacted with instructions to upgrade, such as updating device settings or obtaining a free SIM card. Calls and texts will remain unaffected, and customers can seek assistance at eir.ie/3Gswitchoff/ or in stores. 

This move aligns with an industry trend towards faster technologies.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy