It Says in The Bridge: May 2005

A picture on the front of the latest issue of The Bridge sums up the honour of age: Paddy Bathe has reached his 90th birthday and celebrated recently with his wife May. As somebody who has known Paddy since I was a child, I add my own congratulations.

Otherwise the lead story is a plea from the Tidy Towns Group for Kilcullenites of all ages to 'Show you Care'. Care by helping out with the Town Clean Up scheduled for tomorrow (Monday) evening, launching from the Town Hall at 7.30.

The unveiling of the plaque commemorating Kilcullen's involvement in the 'Pride of Place' project last year also figures on the front.

Inside, the usual suspects continue with their views and musings — and attract comments. A letter from a visitor, Jake Murray, takes journalist Joe Kelly to task for one of his views last month, so as one journalist to another, I see that Joe is doing what he's supposed to, get people talking and thinking.

Joe doesn't have a piece this month, but Sean Landers has sent his latest Letter from Taiwan, and provides an insight about relations between Taiwan and the Vatican as well as recounting a night on the town. His other piece looks at the romance between John Ruskin and Rose La Touche in the 19th century.

'Over the Bridge' looks back at the life and Irish times of Pope John Paul II, and Billy Redmond's 'Off the Cuff' column peruses the wide apart topics of security at Dublin Airport and a caretaker for the church grounds.

How Carmel Aspell's 'Country and Irish' entertainment magazine came about is the subject of a profile piece, and, following the recent death of Paddy Nugent, there's a full reprint of a profile written about him many years ago by Noel Clare.

There's pictorial coverage of the recent Lions 'Duck Day', and of Naomh Bride Community Playgroup, as well as the KCA Quiz Night in the Hideout. Two pages are also devoted to the Gala Night of 'Lovers at Versailles'.

A report on the recent Blood Donor event notes the success of its move to the Community Centre, as well as thanking the 165 donors who attended.

Free with the magazine this month is the updated Community Directory, and there's lots and lots more, on schools and on sport and in the advertisements. As usual, the best value €1.50 you can spend in Kilcullen.

— Brian Byrne.