A day as it should have been

It was the day it had been hoped to be, just like the old days when Kilcullen came out for the day for fun.

And, as is always the case here, it was the weather that put the icing on the cake. Sure, those that came would have enjoyed themselves anyway, but the sun brought out more than might otherwise have come, and kept them out too.

There were bands, several of them, and showing that there is an awful lot of talent around here in our latest generation of young people. Singers, drummers, guitarists ... and they all had their fans in the Square too.

The Duck Race finally happened, subsequent to the launching of the new Kilcullen Community Directory and the unveiling of the plaque in the Heritage Centre to commemorate Kilcullen's participation in the 'Pride of Place' competition last year.

Kudos for going above and beyond the call of duty must go to those members of the Lions who braved the torrent of the Liffey to catch the 'winning' ducks. I worried that my photograph might be cause for a stewards' inquiry, but was assured that nothing like Turf Club rules were in operation ...

A touch of the theatrical was provided by Bernard Berney and Co of the Kilcullen Drama Group, who dressed in the kind of costumes that are really more for Punchestown of the 30s than this coming week's event; but the glamour was no less for that.

We had emigrants home too, like Donal St Leger — 'The Saint' to us of his generation — and John and Anne Collins, who flew in from New Jersey and London respectively for the occasion.

(Well, it sounds good that way, doesn't it?)

And, for this fourth-generation resident of a town that is growing out of all recognition, there were photographs to be taken of people I knew and people I didn't know.

So that's the reason why there aren't any captions to go with this photo gallery. But, as always, the pictures tell their own stories anyway ...

— Brian Byrne.