Kilcullen's changing face

Although the building is due for demolition whenever planning permission comes through for new development, Adrian Dunne is clearly determined to establish a pharmacy on the site immediately.



Passers-by have been bemused during the last week as they watched one of the three small shop units which are currently part of the property being refitted as a fully-equipped pharmacy.

The Diary understands that it will be opened next week.



Down the hill, the former Moloneys shop which was bought by Naas-based Burkes Chemists has also been rebuilt inside and looks ready for opening in the very near future.

With three pharmacies along the one 150-metre stretch of streetscape, it looks like a real 'Conflict of the Chemists' is ready to break out.

Meanwhile, work continues apace in Nolans Butchers premises, which has just been hidden by a protective hoarding for the next phase of the work.



The Caterpillar digger inside the shop yesterday is a clear indication that from the front wall back, nothing is to be the same as before. As James Nolan told the Diary recently, it is a 'dream coming true'.

And as a sidebar, we have learned that the temporary move to the premises down beyond the Post Office makes it the third time that Andy Nolan has worked in that particular shop, as it is where his grandfather set up the first butcher stall.

We watch with interest the latest examples of a changing Kilcullen, another of which includes the refurbishment of the Eurospar supermarket (below), and also the new office premises beside The Hideout, which sees the first courses of brickwork just now appearing above the level of the hoarding.



And, of course, the Market Square development by the Dunlea family is rapidly beginning to show some of its finished features, as scaffolding comes down and stone facing appears.



Brian Byrne.