Opinion: The End of an Era?

They say a week is a long time in politics; obviously six months is a lifetime in local affairs. I have been hearing very disturbing accounts of meetings held in the name of the community.

And before anyone starts with “you don’t live in the town” etc. etc. etc. let me just say this much: Back in 2001, I think it was, I got involved in KCA (Kilcullen Community Action).

My understanding at the time was that the group would attempt to have an impact on the development of the town of Kilcullen by engaging prospective developers, and Kildare Co Co, in a positive and proactive manner to ensure that the needs of the community were met in the context of sustainable development.

While I was not present at any of the recent meetings of KCA, I have first hand accounts from two reliable sources, and I also have first hand accounts of other statements made outside of these meetings.

It is always difficult for a small community to maintain its identity and ethos in the face of the kind of growth Kilcullen has seen in recent times.

When the “come heres” outnumber the “been heres” there is bound to be a bit of the old “us and them” divisive attitude that can lead to what Ireland seems to thrive on — “The Split”.

Except this time the split seems to be coming from within. The “been heres” are at each other throats, and the trust and mutual respect we used to maintain for each other has been compromised.

This is not a good thing. This is a very bad thing, in fact, and unless as a community we take a step back, cool our horses, and work together for a mutually inclusive future, I fear we are witnessing the death knell for the small town feel that attracts so many new people into the community.

As in any situation, if people work together the difficulties can be resolved. Compromise by definition means that neither side in a difficult situation (I will refrain from using the word “conflict” owing to its negative connotations) gets all of what it seeks. Compromise requires humility, which is the enemy of arrogance.

Cool the heads people, seek the truth, question motives and follow your hearts — just doing what you think is right usually works out in the end.

— Roy Thompson.

©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us or phone 086 8267104

Kilcullen lose in Aldridge final

Leixlip 0-12, Kilcullen 0-8.

Kilcullen’s winning run in the competition came to an end when they were beaten by Leixlip by four points in the final of the Aldridge Cup played at the County Grounds in Newbridge today.

In light of the fact that this was the final of a prestigious competition, the support for the Kilcullen team was disappointing. As to the match itself, Kilcullen took an early lead when Alan Murphy pointed a long range free after five minutes. However Leixlip were quick to reply with a point shortly afterwards and then scored a succession of points from play which put them into a comfortable lead.

Kilcullen’s attack threatened, especially through Shane Lambe, but a lack of finishing power meant that the potential was not realised on the on the scoreboard. The Kilcullen backs worked hard but found it difficult to contain the Leixlip attack. Kilcullen’s agile goalkeeper Paddy Maher produced an excellent save at a crucial stage to keep the scores to reasonable proportions.

Cormac Aspell, who was unlucky to be pulled down when through on goal kept Kilcullen in touch with two pointed frees. A converted free from Alan Murphy just before the break left the halftime score showing Leixlip ahead by four points.

Kilcullen were unfortunate when, early in the second half, they had a goal disallowed for an infringement in the square. Despite the fact that Leixlip dominated the play for long periods in the second half, Kilcullen stood firm and remained very much in contention right to the end, mainly through the free taking of Alan Murphy who scored all of Kilcullen’s second half points.

Kilcullen Scorers (all frees): Alan Murphy 0-6; Cormac Aspell 0-2.

Kilcullen Team: P. Maher, I. Barker, J. Burke, B. Fox, K. O’Brien, F. Aspell, G. Shanahan, M. Kelly, R. Aspell, B. Bell, S. Lambe, A. Murphy, C. Howard, W. Kilsella, C. Aspell. Substitutes used: N. Timmons, D. Phelan, A. Corcoran and M. Dooley.
The Leinster Leader Senior Football League Division 1 starts on Saturday 5th March when Kilcullen play hosts to Round Towers at the G.A.A Grounds at 4.00 p.m.

— John Martin.

Lunar crater filled

Well, there y'go: between my walk yesterday morning and this morning, the council got some kind of act together, and did a quick patch job on that pothole I was writing about.

But 'quick patch' is the operative phrase. Already the repair is degrading, and I reckon by the time I next get to walk that road an even bigger crater will have evolved.

And again, so far, there's been no visible response to the need to clean the footpath at the same point.

— Brian Byrne.

©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us or phone 086 8267104

Lunar crater discovered in Kilcullen

Just to keep an eye on things, here's the latest pothole which has sprung up on the roads around Kilcullen. I pictured it this morning, just past Castlemartin on the Newbridge Road.

I'm told by those who have felt it that it has been there a few days now. Caused, no doubt, by the heavy truck traffic that uses Kilcullen to get to the road south ... because, in another example of Kildare County Council's wonderful motorway planning, they failed to put an exit ramp off the M9 at Kinneagh Hill.

Strange thing, they could have done it easily because they built a service road right there while they were building the motorway. Now the town is crucified by much of the truck traffic that wants to get from the Carlow Road to the Cork Road.

But enough of that particular rant. I wonder how long it will take the powers that be to repair this latest crater?

Properly.

So far, there's been no visible response to the need to clean the footpath at the same point. Even though the Diary's story on it was sent directly to the relevant department in St Mary's.

— Brian Byrne.

©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us or phone 086 8267104

A memory of John Paul II

In my rummage through that aforementioned box of photographs, your Editor also found a picture I took of Pope John Paul II on his visit to Ireland in 1979.

I was covering the visit for a number of organisations, including the Catholic Communications Centre, and on the evening of his first day in Dublin, after the event in the Phoenix Park and a subsequent meeting with the Irish bishops, he had a special event for journalists in a northside Dublin school.

His address to us is here though you need Italian to read it.

On an evening when the Pope's health is again in fairly serious question, the picture provokes reflection.

— Brian Byrne.

©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us or phone 086 8267104

Support Kilcullen on Saturday

The Diary's GAA correspondent John Martin has sent in a reminder that Kilcullen's next showing in the Aldridge Cup is Saturday, when the team plays Leixlip in the Final.

Anyone who can should turn out and cheer the lads on. The game takes place in St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, with kickoff at 2.30 pm.

©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us or phone 086 8267104

Memory Lane: Snowbound

It's a real busy time for the Editor just now, but I took a few minutes off to look through some old photographs this evening. This one is topical, since we've had a little snow these past few days.

How many of you remember when we were still on the main route to the south, and a couple of inches of snow on the hill going north out of town would effectively cut off the south and south east from Dublin?

It's been a long time since we had to push cars up that same hill in order to clear the road ...

©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us or phone 086 8267104

Brother Columba fundraiser

In relation to our recent story about a fundraiser for the work of Brother Columba of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, his parents Robert and Maeve Jordan have forwarded this picture of their son, given name Brian, playing at a recent family event.

©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us or phone 086 8267104

Reporters wanted

A Kilcullen Diary has been set up as a community resource, and with that in mind, the Diary is looking for community reporters.

The job description is simple: if you are a member of any of the various community or sports groups in Kilcullen, we would welcome regular reports of your organisation's activities. An example is the recent reporting of Kilcullen's GAA Aldridge Cup progress by John Martin.

In addition, the Diary requires an alternate general reporter prepared to attend some meetings which the Editor cannot make because of pressures of work, and provide accurate independent reports.

As the Diary is not an income-generating operation, there is no payment possible for any contribution. But, as a professional journalist for almost thirty years, I never forget that I cut my writing teeth on 'The Bridge' many years ago, and perhaps the Diary might start some other person on the road to a career in the craft. In that respect, I am always willing to advise, help and train anyone with such an interest.

- Brian Byrne.

©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us or phone 086 8267104

Letter: Re Hideout development

Dear Editor,

I attended Monday night's meeting of the local "representative" group (Kilcullen Community Action), where this proposal was raised for discussion. Effectively, no discussion on the matter ensued; other than throwaway comments, no substantive comments were made by anyone.

I am at a loss to understand this, given this group's recent vehement championing of the necessity to maintain the "fabric of Kilcullen", i.e. the heights, in other areas of the town. Consistency does not appear to be their forte.

One is forced to conclude that local developers, in their opinion, must adhere to a set of guidlines this unelected, unrepresentative group have laid down, and others can propose what they wish without comment.

One is also grateful that a more balanced judgment will be forthcoming from those in authority, who will base their decision on substantive fact, and not on petty local spleen.

Donal Brennan.

©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us or phone 086 8267104

Free jailed bloggers

The Committee to Protect Bloggers has declared February 22nd as Free Mojtaba and Arash Day. The commitee asks that bloggers dedicate their blog to the release of Iranian bloggers Motjaba Saminejad and Arash Sigarchi.

Details of how you can help are available here.

©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us or phone 086 8267104

Moanbane entrance update

Dear Editor,

With reference to the complimentary Diary item on the landscaping of the entrance to Moanbane Park, the "whoever" mentioned is the Moanbane Park Residents Association.

The Association employed the services of a professional landscape designer to produce a plan to improve the overall appearance of the area and the entrance is just one of the projects that have been undertaken as a result.

John Martin.
Chairman, Moanbane Park Residents Association.

(Editor's Note: Thought the item might draw an explanation. Well done again, Moanbane.)

©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us or phone 086 8267104

Franciscan fund raiser

Former Kilcullen residents Maeve and Robert Jordan are organising a fundraising event for their son Brian, who is a brother with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, based in New Jersey USA.

The event will take place in the Plaza Hotel in Tallaght on March 11, and will include an art auction as well as music and magic.

For those unable to make it to Tallaght, donations can be made directly to Maeve and Robert. Contact them at 01 4925276.



©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us or phone 086 8267104

Aldridge: Kilcullen advance to final

Kilcullen 1-8 Celbridge 0-5.

Kilcullen continued on winning ways in the Aldridge Cup with a convincing Semi-Final win over Celbridge at Kilcullen GAA Grounds yesterday.

The home team opened slowly in a low scoring first half and Celbridge went into an unanswered lead of three points before scores by Mark Kelly, Christopher Howard and Fergus Aspell left the half time score level at three points each.

Kilcullen moved up several gears in the second half and an early goal by Alan Murphy set them up for an impressive victory.

Resolute defending by the Kilcullen backs and goalkeeper meant that Celbridge failed to score again until seven minutes from the end of the game.

Scorers for Kilcullen were: A. Murphy 1-2; M. Kelly 0-1; C. Howard 0-1; F. Aspell 0-1; B. Bell 0-1; S. Lambe 0-1 and C. Aspell 0-1.

Kilcullen have now qualified for the final against Leixlip on next Saturday at a venue to be announced.

— John Martin.

©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us or phone 086 8267104

Shame, boys

This is about the two young boys, maybe thirteen or fourteen, walking out the Castlemartin road at 11.40 this morning, eating sweets and what looked like ice lollies.

And one of them simply tossed the bag in which they'd got the goodies onto the hedge at the back of Cross and Passion. Not even deliberately, just as a matter of course. A reflex of habit, no thought involved.

I was driving in a moving line of traffic, and couldn't stop to ask him to pick it up. But, shame, boys. Shame on your parents too.

— Brian Byrne.

©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us

Office, retail plan for Hideout

A planning application has been lodged for a significant change to one of Kilcullen's best-known buildings.

James Browne, with an address at Main Street, Clane, has applied to demolish the existing single-storey retail premises attached to the Hideout pub with a view to constructing a new commercial premises on the site.

The proposed development would consist of a three-storey commercial premises consisting of 151.5 sq mts retail at ground level, 141.5 sq mts commercial space at first floor level, with traditional shop frontages on the ground floor retail premises.

The application was lodged on 7 February 2005 and the last date for submissions is 14 March 2005. The file number is 05/187.

— Brian Byrne.

©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us

Dump aftercare means big waste bills

The cost of monitoring and aftercare on the landfill site at Silliott Hill outside Kilcullen is one of the reasons why waste charge bills coming soon to local householders in Kilcullen and other parts of Kildare will be shockingly high.

That's the view of Kildare independent councillor Catherine Murphy, who says the €1.5 million per annum cost at Silliott Hill is levied on Kildare householders in the form of extra waste charges.

The 2005 standard bin charge in Kildare will be €185. On top of that, each bin lift will cost €7. A household putting out one bin per week will pay €549, or €10.55 per week, an increase of 45 percent on the €378 charged for a 240 litre bin in 2004.

As bills have not been sent out yet, many householders are not aware of how their waste bills are going to soar.

The then Environment Minister Martin Cullen gave local authorities just 10 months to introduce the system when he announced in March 2004 the move to pay by weight charging by January 2005.

According to Cllr Murphy — who is an independent candidate in the coming Kildare North by-election — the rushed introduction of the system is already undermining the intent of the system to encourage householders to reduce, reuse and recycle waste, and will cause hardship to low income householders.

She also says that increased sales of steel bins with funnel tops are strong evidence that the practice of burning rubbish has re-emerged, with obvious consequences for air quality.

Cllr Murphy is calling on Minister Dick Roche to urgently review the consequences of the new system and assess the ability of the various local authorities to respond to it.

— Brian Byrne.

©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us

Moanbane upgrades entrance

It has been a long time coming, but the new landscaped entrance to the Moanbane and Hermitage Park estates is certainly worth the wait. Equally welcome is the retarmaced stretch of entrance road.

Nice one, whoever.

©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us

Letter from a POW: Barney Byrne.

In 1941, my Uncle Barney, who had been reared in Kilgowan, was taken as a prisoner of war in the fall of Hong Kong to the Japanese.

For a long time I've had a copy of a letter which Barney began writing after they got the word that the Armstice in Japan had been signed and they would soon be released.

It is an amazing chronicle, one which I resurrected recently and began to tidy up in minor ways. And I did some further research, finding out more about the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps, and also which camp Barney had actually been in (it was never said in the letter).

An edited version of the letter was published in the 'Carlow Nationalist' newspaper in the same year that it was received in Kilcullen. But perhaps it is now time that the entire letter was put in the public domain, in the sixtieth year after it was first written.

— Brian Byrne.

©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us

Pastoral Council working group established

A new and exciting development has begun in the Parish of Kilcullen which, it is hoped, will bring a renewal of life and energy to our journey in faith together.

As mandated by the Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, a Parish Pastoral Council is to be formed in the parish of Kilcullen. A Parish Pastoral Council is a structure that enables priests and people to work together to build up a dynamic Christian community. The formation of a Parish Pastoral Council and the selection of its members are serious events in the life of the parish as the entire parish community has an important role to play in the identification and support of leaders.

The first stage of the process of establishing a Parish Pastoral Council began this month with the formation of a Working Group, of priests and parishioners that will oversee this task.

Communication with the people of Kilcullen parish will be a major part of the endeavours of this Working Group. Hopefully, this communication will be a two-way process, the Working Group informing parishioners about the nature and purpose of the Council and the progress of their work and parishioners assisting, where possible, the Working Group in their endeavours.

The Working Group consists of Fr Michael Murphy, Fr Andrew O’Sullivan, Vivienne Byrne, Deirdre Collins, Matt Doyle, John Martin, Evelyn McKenzie-Smith, Rose McMahon, Maurice O’Mahoney, Maureen O’Toole, Charlie Talbot and Elaine Whyte.

— Elaine Whyte.

©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us

Lysander at Crookstown - query

Dear Editor,

I am researching a piece relating to an old aircraft that was on display for a time in the forecourt of a garage owned by a Gorman family at Crookstown.

The aircraft or what was left of it was the fuselage of a Lysander which was formerly in service with the Air Corps until around 1946/1947.

This aircraft was sold on and I understand has been restored and is now flying in New Zealand!

I have access to logbook entries and information on its role and uses while in service. What I need now to completer the story is to get any information or photos of its time here in Kildare.

Desmond Travers, Kilcullen Heritage Group.

(Editor's Note: As a child I have vivid memories of that plane, as it was a key visual waypoint when we were making family journeys to the seaside at Courtown via Castledermot and Tullow. When we could shout: "There's the plane!" outbound, we knew we had actually left the orbit of Kilcullen, and when we did the same inbound, we knew we were safely in the final stage of re-entry.)

La Touche history launched

"It weighs a kilogram!" the author of 'The La Touche Family in Ireland' quipped at its local launch in the Kilcullen Heritage Centre tonight.

Michael McGinley's book, published by the La Touche Legacy Committee in Greystones, is more than just weight, though, detailing as it does extensively the history of a Huguenot family which fled from religious persecution in France and subsequently made a major contribution to Ireland in banking, politics and property development.

Pastor Robert Dunlop of Brannockstown, a longtime researcher of the Kildare branch of the family which lived in Harristown House, said he was delighted at the 'diligent research' of the author, which had introduced 'the bigger picture' of the family.

"I am particularly indebted to his original research on Percy La Touche, who had a reputation of being a bit of a playboy, but Michael's treatment is very balanced."

Pastor Dunlop, who recently completed 40 years working in the 'very historic place' that is the Baptist Church of Brannockstown founded by John La Touche of Harristown, also said that local people would be very interested in the 'small but very interesting' section based on the diaries of Emily La Touche, who died very young.

What Pastor Dunlop concluded by describing as 'a darlin' book that is not to be missed' also details the tragic affair of Rose La Touche and John Ruskin, and the political activities of the family at the turn of the nineteenth century.



The author recalled how he and his colleagues on the small committee developing the project were in very low spirits some three years ago, when there was no prospect of sponsorship.

"We didn't know then that George Jones and his friends in the La Touche Legacy Committee would go out and get funding, but Robert Dunlop said anyway 'we're doing this book because we want to'," he said. "I also knew that I had a great source in Robert; when you are doing something like this, you have to go to the person who knows."

George Jones of the La Touche Legacy Committee said the book had been a labour of love for the author. "There's no financial gain in it for him, but he has done it tremendously well and it is a book of authority on the La Touche family," he said.

Peter Garnier of Carlow, a descendant of the La Touches, said the family had always tried to contribute to the society in which they lived.

"I've looked through this very fine book and I have seen many faces of people whom I have also seen in the flesh," he said. "When I get a chance to read it through, I will obviously learn a lot that I didn't know."

The 'La Touche Family in Ireland' is available for €35.



Katherine Garnier and her father Peter Garnier, descendants of the La Touche family; with the author of 'The La Touche Family in Ireland', Michael McGinley, and Pastor Robert Dunlop of Brannockstown.



Brendan Martin, Joe Hayes and George Jones of the La Touche Legacy Committee.

Local people turned out in force to support the launch.

— Brian Byrne.













©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us

Kilcullen qualifies for Aldridge semi

Senior Football Aldridge Cup Quarter Final

Kilcullen 2–6; Sallins 0–10

Kilcullen qualified for the semi-final of the Aldridge Cup with an impressive two point win over Sallins at the Kilcullen G.A.A. Grounds on Saturday 12th February.

The entertaining game was played in dry conditions but with a bitterly cold cross-field wind. Kilcullen opened brightly with two points from full forward Warren Kinsella but a period of Sallins dominance saw them score four unanswered points. Kilcullen then had their most productive period of the game which yielded two well taken goals.

The first came when Brian Bell was perfectly positioned to take a precision pass from Christopher Howard and Howard was on hand shortly after to tap the ball to the net when a shot from Kinsella came back off the crossbar. The halftime score was Kilcullen 2–2; Sallins 0–4.

Sallins came back strongly in the second half and kicked some well taken points. However scores from Cormac Aspell (two points) and Brian Bell (two points) ensured that Kilcullen ran out well-deserved winners.

Scorers for Kilcullen were: Brian Bell 1–2; Christopher Howard 1–0; Warren Kinsella 0–2 and Cormac Aspell 0–2.

—John Martin.

©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us

Postcard from a Finnish edge

It sounded good. Traditional Finnish dinner in a restaurant at the top of the hill behind our hotel. Then a toboggan ride home afterwards.

Visions of a reindeer-drawn sleigh, some jingle bells, swish of skids on the snow that blankets the forested land 300 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle at this time of the year.

And the dinner was really good. That's one thing I've always found about Finland: the Finns like real food and they serve and eat it in real quantities.

Probably something to do with the outdoor life in a land that can vary in temperature alone between -50degC and 35degC over the span of a year.

But there were no reindeers, apart from what we'd eaten. No jingle bells. Just a pile of little plastic sleds.

This was the reason they'd said to bring our Arctic gear Babygrows ...



To continue, click here.


©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us

The passing of Ned Byrne

Ned Byrne 1941-2005

Ned was a most gentle man. He worked with me in Brennans Hardware for the past 29 years. He had his own special way of dealing with people and situations. As a mark of respect and a measure of the esteem he was held in at D Brennan and Sons the premises were closed for the duration of his funeral service.

His early schooling was in Athgarvan where he played football. He was also an accomplished Pitch and Putt player for Athgarvan. In recent years he played his pitch and putt at St Bridget Club in Kilcullen.

Those who knew Ned knew he had a couple of great loves. Rings and Darts at The Lobbers in Old Kilcullen and not to mention his love for the odd pint and the eternal fag! His greatest love though was for his wife of 30 years Minnie and his two lovely children Edward and Emer whom he doted on.

He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

May he rest in peace.

— Herbert Sheehan. Friend and Colleague.

I'll say it again: We're a scruffy lot ...

The littering element in the Irish psyche continues to be depressing.

And it is even more apparent at the moment with the leaves in most hedges absent, and trimming of the same hedges reveals the amount of debris thrown into them.

But it's not all old: even yesterday morning there were fresh used drink cans thrown on top of the newly-trimmed hedges, presumably from Friday and Saturday night homegoers.



But the crowning insult has to be the stuff thrown underneath the sign that greets drivers coming into the town from the motorway side.

The bottom of it says 'Keep Kilcullen Litter Free'.

And behind the wall at its base is a veritable landfill of fly-tipped stuff.



The Tidy Towns committee have to be commended for retaining their will to keep going in the face of such blatant uncaring for the local environment.

Reminds me of a piece I wrote last year soon after the start of the school year, on my personal weblog.

If the youngesters don't care, the future looks even more bleak.



- Brian Byrne.

©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us

Developer comments on KCA stories

In a letter to The Diary, local developer Pat Dunlea has made some comments on discussions at the KCA meeting of January 24. We publish them below —

KCA not to make Brennan’s submission
JJ Warrens “contention that the apartment development so far proposed for the town centre could house a population of 1,000 people” is very wide of the mark.  The Market Square developments, the proposal for D Brennan & Sons and Mill Race include just 139 apartments in total. 

The comment about “1000 people of a ‘lower social class’ in rented accommodation” made by JJ is unfortunate.  I know JJ for a long time and he would not have meant it as it seems.  If he has any fears that what I might build in The Square would become a ghetto he is very much mistaken.  The proposed development in The Market Square has the capacity to be a landmark building of the highest quality.

 
Queries on Hillcrest line
I have looked at the plans as lodged to Kildare County Council and have spoken to Mr Pat McGinn the developer at Hillcrest.  There is no question but the development as far as the footpaths and roadside parking is concerned, is substantially in compliance with the permission granted.  I enclose a copy of the plans that the planning refers to clearly showing the footpaths and the parking outside the line of what was the existing wall at the time.  I am not saying the planners got it right but I think with a little adjustment the footpath layout could have the effect of a calming device on traffic using the hill.  The centre line on the road also needs to be relocated.



©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us

Do engineers walk their footpaths?

You have to wonder sometimes about the engineers who design our roads and their ancillaries.

One part about which I've had a longtime poor opinion is the motorway bridge on the Sunnyhill road. Which reflects many similar, and shows a complete lack of understanding of the needs of people who walk.

It seems that it is policy to build footpaths to and from such bridges for a certain distance on either side. Which is good, even if that distance is far too short anyway.



But then these footpaths, wide enough for walking on, and even for pushing a buggy — though admittedly not a very wide one (bottom picture below) — peter out into vestigial paths across the bridges (top picture above). Vestigials which are impossible to even walk on, wide enough for feet but not enough to allow for the swinging arm of the pedestrian.

And certainly not useable by a buggy-pushing mum or dad.

Why? Are road engineers not family people? Do they not have partners who push prams? Or maybe they believe that prams are only pushed in towns or housing estates?

We've had this particular bridge for quite a few years now, ever since Kilcullen was bypassed.

And with the recent growth of the town, especially on the Castlemartin and Cnoc na Greine (Sunnyhill) side, it would seem important that the young families in these new estates should have safe walking and buggy-pushing facilities along a traditional walking road.

OK, so the bridge is built. And the vestigial paths too. But I suggest a change, which would create a dual improvement to the situation.

How about widening the unuseable paths across the bridge? To buggy-width.

It would mean that neither walkers or those with children in pushmobiles would have to step onto the road to cross the bridge.

Sure, it would mean a narrowing of the roadway for cars and trucks. But that too would be an advantage, because it would force a traffic-calming situation on a road which is travelled on at far too fast a lick by too many drivers at the moment.

While they're at it, if Kildare County Council would continue a footpath from the Curragh Road to where the 'motorway' footpath begins, it would give those residents of Castlemartin and Cnoc na Greine a nice 'round' to walk, or push their buggies along, without having to risk going onto the road and its potholes and patches that make it quite dangerous as it stands.

The Council is quick enough to require developers to provide footpaths on the main roads alongside new estates.

It should be equally quick to do its own bit.

- Brian Byrne

©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us

KCA meeting tonight

The monthly meeting of Kilcullen Community Action takes place this evening in the Heritage Centre at 8pm.

The meeting is open to the public.

Due to prior commitments, The Diary will be unable to attend to report on the proceedings. If anyone who is going would like to take notes as a Diary Correspondent, we would be glad to hear from them. Phone 086 8267104.

— Brian Byrne

Credit Union Schools Table Quiz

There was the usual enthusiastic turnout to the annual Kilcullen Credit Union Schools Table Quiz, held today in Scoil Bhride.



Questions included many which would have stumped adults, including one about the Statue of Liberty: in one hand she holds a torch, what is in the other? Answer: a book.



Presentations of rucksacks and gymbags were made by Jim Barker to the first and second winning groups in two grades. The winning table of the top grade goes on to represent Kilcullen in regional finals.



Elaine Muldowney, Sinead McGrath, Jeremy Burke, Shane Bird.



Francesca McAllister, Zara Reynolds, Mark O'Connor, Jeffrey Hovenden.



Harley Martin, Aoife Bond, Austin O'Donnell, Laura Comerford.



Ellen Kelly, Shona O'Byrne, Gary Kenny, Eoin Jennings.

©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us

Start to Valley Spring Clean

The annual start to the tidying of post-winter Kilcullen began on Saturday with some trimming and spraying of The Valley.

Unfortunately, only a very few people joined Kilcullen Tidy Town's Noel Clare in the effort. There were seven in total on the job.

Which was a pity, after Noel had 'challenged' the supra-usual among the thirty or so participants at the last Kilcullen Community Action meeting to turn out on Saturday for the clean-up.

Maybe help will improve as the spring progresses?





- Brian Byrne

©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us

Kilcullen GAA: Aldridge Cup

Kilcullen 2-10; Clane 0-4

Kilcullen got the new year off to a flying start with a comprehensive victory over Clane in their first game in the Aldridge Cup match at Kilcullen.

In a low scoring first half both teams found it difficult to find the target and the first score came after 20 minutes. Kilcullen led at half time by 1-2 to 0-2. In the second half Kilcullen upped the tempo and dominated the game.

The scorers for Kilcullen were: C. Aspell 1-1; A. Murphy 0-4; W. Kinsella 1-0; C. Howard 0-2; F. Aspell 0-1; B. Bell 0-1 and S. Lambe 0-1.

— John Martin.

©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us

Good turnout for Table Quiz

There was a full house at Ger Markey's Stray Inn last night for the Table Quiz in aid of Schoil Bhride.



Vivian Clarke did Quiz Master, coming up with the odd question from left field, such as what is 'Triskadekaphobia'?

If you're not superstitious it's probably not important. But if you are, you probably suffer from it ... it is fear of the number thirteen.



Scoil Bhride now has 400 pupils, according to principal Maurice O'Mahoney, and the extra portacabin classrooms which went into service last October are well in use.

"We have an application in for more classroom space," he told The Diary. "We're more fortunate than many schools in that we actually have enough land ... it's hard to get builders to part with land these days because it is so expensive."

Maurice said there were many new names down for the September opening of the next school year.

A sign of the changes in Kilcullen's population — and, as longtime resident John Martin said last night, "it's these kind of events that bring old and new Kilcullen people together."

— Brian Byrne.



















©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us

Discommoding disabled drivers

The Diary has had some correspondence from readers concerned at the use of the parking spaces reserved for disabled drivers in front of the medical centre on Main Street.

It seems that many able-bodied drivers are seen to use the spaces when they are vacant.

As it happened, when The Diary went to photograph the spaces, the blue Zafira car with a properly-placed Disability sticker was unable to park properly because the white car in front (fuzzed by our photographer) had parked in a way that took up more than a third of the disabled space.

Point made.



©2005 kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com as published and individually to the contributors concerned. Email us