The Passing of Pat O'Donnell

The Diary records with sadness the death of Pat O'Donnell of Calverstown, formerly of Moanbane Park.

To his wife Phil we express our condolences. Funeral arrangements will be detailed later.

Talking Point: From Toucan to Mr Dennehy's

In his latest audio webcast Diary Editor Brian Byrne talks about the advertising of beer.

It is available in broadband and dialup qualities. You need to have Quicktime on your computer to hear these webcasts (you probably have).

Feel free to feedback.

Talking Point: A response

The following was posted as a comment to the Bridging the Community Talking Point webcast earlier this week.

The Diary figures it should be posted on its own, as it may very well be missed in its comment position.

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We are all uncomfortable when change comes into our lives, whether invited or not. Every time I visit Kilcullen, which is only about 4 times a year now. I am not only astonished at the changes but also the rate of change and the general abandon in which the changes have occurred.

I bemoan the vanishing of the old communities, the loss of tradition, the loss of the sense of place ... it is disturbing at the very least. Many people feel threatened and frightened by the fast moving, hugely expanding former village that was Kilcullen.

The positive side to this economic progress has been the improvement in the lives of many ... it is not so long ago, when all the young talented ones left Kilcullen to seek work elsewhere ... not so long age that if you were the subject of gossip that it was all over the town before night ... not so long ago, that the nuns gave out soup in the primary school to many hungry mouths. Not so long ago that money came from America on a regular basis.

Whilst this other life has certainly vanished it is at what cost? Will our children have the same equality of life style that we currently enjoy? Have we robbed them of a future, by simultaneously jumping on the somewhat short-sighted, progress band wagon?

There is a new different type wealth in Kilcullen, and it is not one of monetary value but of vibrant intellectual capital belonging to people new to the community. It will need not only wisdom but also creative and innovative thinking, from the original inhabitants to tap into this endless river of talent. This natural energy just needs to be harnessed much as the original river was harnessed below the bridge in the Kilcullen Mill.

Marella Fyffe.

Christmas at Brannockstown

Well, it's time to put out all the remaining Christmas pictures before we get ready for 2006.

First, a couple of Christmas lights ones on a house in Brannockstown.




And then there are the remainder of the shots from the Carols by Candlelight in the Baptist Church.







There we go ... I think that about clears the seasonal decks. We can get back to the serious stuff soon.

Brian Byrne.

Last of the Christmas windows

As the headline says, our final set of pictures of Christmas windows in Kilcullen.

Moloneys shop to be pharmacy

Moloney's premises opposite Bardons pub was sold recently, following an auction.

The Diary understands that it was bought by the owners of Burkes Pharmacy, for a price reportedly in the region of €1.3 million.

The frontage is listed and must be retained in any development, but it looks like the old drapery shop will at some time in the future be part of a very fine business premises, which can only further improve the present commercial end of the town.

Brian Byrne.

Brannockstown Carols: 2

Here are a couple more pictures from the pre-Christmas carol service in Brannockstown Baptist Church.




We have another batch to show later.

A Christmas Carol: 4

There y'go ... the last of the pictures we have on file from the Kilcullen Drama Group's presentation of A Christmas Carol before the festival.

Talking Point: Bridging the Community

In the first of a regular series of audio pieces, Diary Editor Brian Byrne muses on Kilcullen's refurbished bridge, and how it could be seen as a metaphor for the future of Kilcullen as a community.

This is an innovation in terms of the Diary in that it is bringing the concept of a radio talk to Kilcullen's unique internet news medium. You need to have Quicktime Player installed to hear it.

Also, because it is provided to be of high quality on broadband streaming, there may be some delay before it runs on a dial-up system. If so, try this one.

We hope you like this extension of the medium. Please let us know your views, complaints, or anything else you want to tell us.

Teenage Talent Competition

More Christmas windows

A Christmas Carol: 3

This week is something of catch-up time for the Diary. So here are some more pictures from the recent production of A Christmas Carol.

Happy Christmas, Saint

Donal St Leger, living in New Jersey and a daily reader of the Diary, gets a special Christmas Greeting from Kilcullen today, courtesy of Michael Lambe's annual Christmas morning event for his friends.




Enjoy, Saint. And greetings from the Diary Editor too! (Above right.)

Brian Byrne.

Happy Christmas, everyone

Christmas Eve 2005: The Hideout

Martin Myles and all the gang were on hand to impart the evening cheer.



Among those enjoying it were Laura Lynch, Mrs Coleman and Patsy O'Halloran.



Meanwile, the Hideout Christmas Draw was a great success on Thursday night, with a packed house in for the event.

There were prizes worth €4,800 in the draw, and the first prize of €2,005 was won by Judy Byrne.

Andy Halpin took home the second prize of a Traditional Hamper, while Ned Dempsey won the Giant Teddy and €100 in cash.

Emma O'Connor left with a Wine Rack (full, of course), and Agnes Brown is celebrating the Spirit of Christmas prize.

Editha Dempsey is going to have a digital Christmas and 2006 with her new camera, Brida Kelly is tucking into a special Christmas Hamper, and Nicole McDonald will be Stylish and Slim for the new year.

Bernie Hillis will get fresh air and exercise with the Round of Golf at Powerscourt, Mary Doran will be making withdrawals from her Bottle Bank, while Martin Archibold is probably suddenly popular with the females in his vicinity for the Ladies Pamper Hamper that he won.

Meanwhile, Pauline Scully will eat well this Christmas from her Gourmet Hamper, Bella Ryan can look forward to a good night out with her friends on a Dinner Party for Eight, and Alex Rogers will enjoy many quiet nights at home with his 28" Phillips TV.

In addition to the prizes there was music and craic, and spot prizes, and hardly anyone left the Hideout on the night without something under their arm.

In fact, everyone who came got a ticket which put them into a free raffle for 100 prizes which were drawn before the main event.

A good start to the Christmas in the Hideout.

Brian Byrne.

Christmas Eve 2005: An Tearman

It was the usual Christmas Eve mince pies session in An Tearman this morning before they broke up for their long holiday.



Jim and Nuala Collins and their daughter Fiona were enjoying the fare.

Christmas Eve 2005: Bernard Berney

Bernard Berney and crew were on hand to help out with the last of the emergency prezzies in the pharmacy.

Christmas Eve 2005: Sherlocks

Keith Sherlock has owned the local fruit and veg shop for the last three months, and he's also had a busy time of it today.

Christmas Eve 2005: John Joe's

John Joe Dowling and Noreen were busy today getting flowers and Christmas decorative pieces out.

Merry Christmas from Jersey

I would like to wish all the Archbold family and everyone in Kilcullen a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Sorry we can't be there this Christmas with you.

Lots of love,

Oliver & Natalie Archbold
Jersey.



ps. Keep up the good work, Brian. Love the website as it keeps me in the know. I check it most days of the week.

Christmas Eve 2005: Nolans

Well, Christmas Eve has dawned, and among the first shops to do business is Nolans butchers stall.



So great is the demand for their turkeys, hams, beef, pork and lamb products that the queue starts even before they open at 7.30am.



James Nolan told us this morning that more than 20 staff will be rushed off their feet all day.



Fortunately the Diary Editor is himself an early riser, and got the Byrne Christmas meat needs without too much wait.



We'll keep you posted during the day with other pictures of Christmas Eve in Kilcullen.

Happy Christmas to all Kilcullenites who can't be home for the festive season.

Brian Byrne.

€1,600 for 'Hope'

The recent carol-singing pub crawl by the chorus from A Christmas Carol raised €1,600 from its efforts.



Not bad for one night's work. The money goes to the Maintain Hope project in Kenya, which will be sending out local volunteers to help build an orphanage next summer.

Christmas windows: 2

Here are a few more of the Christmas window shots from Kilcullen.






Brian Byrne.

Christmas Services in Kilcullen

Mass on Christmas Eve is at 9pm with carol singing in the church from 8.30pm.

Mass in Gormanstown on Christmas Eve is at midnight with carols from 11.30pm.

Christmas Day masses in Kilcullen are at 9am, 10am, 11am, and midday.

Church of Ireland Midnight Eucharist in Saint Patrick's, Newbridge, is on Christmas Eve starting at 11.30pm. Christmas Day services are at 9.15am in Saint Patrick’s, Carnalway, 10.30am in Saint John’s, Kilcullen and midday in Saint Patrick’s, Newbridge.

Brannockstown Baptist Church has a Christmas Morning Family Worship Service at 11am.

Santa and his Sleigh in Kilcullen

In a special reconnaissance mission before the traditional Christmas Eve night run, Santa and his sleigh and assorted reindeers paid an unexpected visit to Kilcullen.



The purpose of the trip was to make sure that all the new people in the town were on his list, and Tony Gahan gave him a hand filling out all the names and addresses.



Thanks to Mischa Fekete for being quick with his camera and recording the event for the Diary.