Christmas art

A Christmas Cracker Art Exhibition takes place this Saturday and Sunday in the Good Grace Gallery, Dunlavin, from 11am to 5pm each day.

Mags Lynott.

Photos bring memories

Geraldine Nugent's photo of the river flowing over the weir brought back many memories.

At that time, the water below the weir from Nugent's field to the Mill was shallow. So in the heat of the summer, Nugent's cattle would wander over to the mill buildings to shade themselves, much to the consternation of my mother. Her hens, ducks and geese would scatter on their arrival and the aftermath of cow dung wouldn't please her!

When the weir burst in 1946 due to the constant release of high volumes of water from the new hydro-dam at Golden Falls, Ballymore Eustace, the cow's location (in the middle of the picture, facing the camera) became the current deep-water course for the river.

The weir and all the stones and sand in this area were swept down the river to form the present day island in the middle of the river below Liffey Bank House.

Jim Collins

Thank you!

On behalf of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, I would like to thank most sincerely the people of Kilcullen and surrounding areas, for their generous support during the recent Church Gate Collection.

The total amount raised was 398 euros. This money will help to purchase and supply specialised equipment, and give financial assistance towards home care and nursing for patients.

The Association also supports research into the cause of Motor Neurone Disease.

Your generous support enables the Association to continue with the important work of raising the profile of Motor Neurone Disease and helping to alleviate the plight of MND suffers and their families.

Frank Mitchell.

'The Lost Toys' Christmas Show

The Kilcullen based Talented Kids Performing Arts School and Agency will be presenting 'The Lost Toys' show in the Moat Theatre, Naas, in aid of Teenline.



The show is written and produced by Maureen V Ward and choreographed by Lorna Dempsey, Lisa McGrath, Mark Rogers & Niamh Kinsella.

Co-director is Johnny Ward, who also takes the role of the Christmas Spirit in a magical story about lost toys being reunited with their owners at Christmas time.

Characters include Gemima the Doll, Bobby Bear and Robo Dan, as well as the Christmas Fairy, the Christmas Spirit, Santa and his elves.

Other performers include Kathryn McKiernan, presenter of 'The Club' on The Den, RTE; Jenny Kavanagh, Cleo from RTE’s Fair City; Siobhan Shanahan -- 'Stacey' from RTE’s Prosperity -- alternating as the Christmas Fairy in these productions.

Also starring are the fabulous Tots, Kids, Teens and Adults from Talented Kids Performing Arts School & Agency.

For details on Talented Kids Performing Arts School and Agency please log on.

All of the proceeds from the shows will go to Teenline Ireland, which works to prevent teenage suicide.

Brian Byrne.

The passing of Gay Warren

We have learned with some personal sadness of the death of Gabriel (Gay) Warren, founder of Renley Engineering, after an illness.

He will be sadly missed by his loving wife Pearl, sons Mark, Gary and Johnny, daughters-in-law Helen, Majella and Lucy, grandchildren Katie, James, Ralph, Aimee, Sam and Harry, and his sister May.

His remains are reposing overnight in the Church of Our Lady and St David, Naas. Requiem Mass will be celebrated tomorrow (Thursday) at 10 am and burial will follow afterwards in St Corban's Cemetery, Naas.

At the age 32 years, Gay Warren, left his engineering job in Unidare Ltd in Finglas in 1970 to set up his own business. With the help of Kilcullen Development Association, who supplied the building behind what is now the King Koil factory, Gay set up Renley Engineering with a start-up local workforce of 10 men. This was great news for Kilcullen, as at that time Renley was the one of the first industries in the town to employ men.

Renley Engineering Works manufactured lamp standards, transformer boxes, switch gear and other electrical items to supply under contract to the ESB. At one stage, Renley employed over 60 people.

A generous man with his time and expertise, Gay was involved for some years on the Board of KDA. After 23 years as managing director of Renley, He chose to retire in 1993 at the early age of 55. Since his retirement, he kept in touch with the many friends he made in Kilcullen over the years.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Learn, learn, learn!

Kilcullen-born Garreth Byrne (below left with friend) has sent us some more pictures from China, this time from the campus of East China Jiaotong University, Nanchang, where he works.



Note some of the many signs seen around the campus, inspiring students to learn.





Brian Byrne.

Riverside Manor objections

Residents of Riverside Manor have lodged objections to an application for full planning permission on an undeveloped area beside the existing development, on the grounds that it involves an 'unacceptable' increase in density.

The objections from at least four households also notes that the new application by Brendan O'Connell changes the boundaries from a previous permission to include what was previously designated as 'public linear space' along the River Liffey.

The objections note that a number of houses on that part of the 34-home Riverside Manor development will lose three green spaces in front of their houses by the proposed provision of a two metre wall.

The objectors make it clear that the undeveloped area needs to be developed, but ask why this cannot be done as detailed in the original planning permission granted in 2000, 'now that all legal impediments' relating to it have been resolved?

The submissions note that the number of units proposed for the undeveloped portion of the land has increased by almost 50 percent compared to the original permission. But at the same time the actual land being used for the housing has reduced from an original 23 acres to 17.6 acres.

"This is a double increase in density," the submittors note. "How can this be acceptable for an infill development?"

The submissions say the proposed development will adversely affect the existing Riverside Manor by increasing traffic in and out of the estate, causing 'unnecessary traffic jams'.

They also say that despite the fact of the current entrance to Riverside Manor being under review by Kildare County Council for six years, no changes have been indicated in the latest Draft Development Plan, and the additional density will 'propose a serious health and safety risk' in conjuction with the new Market Square development, continued illegal double parking, lack of footpaths and a 'hazardous blind spot' adjacent to the 'Fire Stop' premises.

The submissions also detail the 'unacceptable' proposal of new blocks of apartment buildings on a green area, an 'invasion of privacy and loss of existing light' to some current residences, and what is seen as an inadequacy of car parking which will mean vehicles being parked on the roadway and causing difficulties for emergency services.

Brian Byrne

We'll go down to the river...

These old photographs provided by Geraldine Nugent show Kilcullen river scenes which she believes are in the 1930s.



The one above is the weir and bridge, and below is a view of Collins Mill. Although born much later, your Editor has clear recollections of cattle from Nugents Field regularly cooling in the river at that point through the 50s.



Kilcullen riverside living has come a long way.

Brian Byrne.

Music, anyone?

Music lessons on several instruments are available in Kilcullen.

Guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin and accordion can be learned.

Contact John at 045 876595 or 086 3277496.

Seeking bus stop

Kilcullen Community Action is to ask Bus Eireann to provide an official bus stop near Hillside.

The matter was brought up by Celia Travers at the recent KCA meeting. She said that people wanted a stop closer to the town than the one north of Moanbane Park.

She was then given the job of finding out where responsibility lies with deciding where new bus stops should be.

J J Warren commented that it was a very difficult area, and that as far as he knew, the provision or changing of a stop required 'going back as far as Parliament'.

Brian Byrne.

Very successful 'Miscellany'.

More than 2,500 euros was donated at Sunday afternoon's 'Miscellany on Sunday' in Tom and Phena Bermingham's home.



The 'Miscellany' has been an annual event since the first one in 2000, and has raised many thousands of euros for the Michael Garry House hostel for the homeless in Newbridge.

There was the usual eclectic turnout of entertainers for the constantly changing audience of Sunday afternoon. They included, among others, Dorley O'Sullivan's classical music group, singers and musicians Lugaidh Moran, Roy Thompson, Aoife Kelly, Eoin O'Toole, Bernard Roche and Philomena Breslin. Nessa Dunlea did a reading from Helen Steiner Rice and Pauline Fagan read a piece produced at the Kilcullen writers group.

"It is very heartening for us at the shelter to see the kind of support like this," Tim Gallagher from Michael Garry House told those who came. "Over the years the Kilcullen Homeless Awareness Group have raised tens of thousands of euros for us."

Here's a slide show of people and entertainers at the event.

Brian Byrne.

Saying 'hi' to Frances

While on a trip recently to New York with my fiancé Karen O'Sullivan we called into Rosie O'Gradys bar off Time Square to catch up with local woman Frances Brennan who left for America some years ago. It would be a pity to come this far and not say hello.
When she came to take my order at the bar I just told her that everyone in Kilcullen says "Hello", only then did she realise who it was. We had a chat and shared some news about home and life in the Big Apple. I have to admit I would love to trade places with her because I think New York is a wonderful place but I suppose it can get quite lonely too so far away from family and home.

Frances gets visitors regularly from home and she told me that we had only just missed some family and friends that had been over. The photo I attached was taken in Rosie O'Gradys and I promised her that I would try and get it on your web site so she can see it and catch up with local news. I would be grateful if you could include this in your news.
Regards, Stephen Byrne.

The Irish Conker Championships

The eighth annual Irish Conker Championship was held in Freshford, Co Kilkenny, on 28 October.

Shaun Mitchell (right) winning the sixth round.

The Conker Festival built around the Championship is now a two day event that attracts visitors from all over the country. The hard work that gores into organising it is well worth the effort when you see the joy on people's faces when they have smashed their opponents' nut.

Local man Joe O'Neill is one of the main organisers and is also a referee.

Last year I entered the under-17s and after winning six rounds I was through to the final with Sarah O'Neill. Sarah was a very tough opponent but after a few hits cracks started to appear in her conker and after that I smashed her conker to victory.

This year I went down to defend my title in the u-17s and once again I was successful in reaching the final with last year's runner up, Sarah. But on this occasion she was successful in taking the title from me.



Shaun Mitchell.

KCA incorporated

Kilcullen Community action has been incorporated as a limited company.

The move, which has been planned for a long time but ran into difficulties when the matter was left to an outside umbrella organisation, was welcomed at KCA's most recent meeting.

"It is a great move from a legal point of view," J J Warren commented, and commended Orla O'Neill for the recent work which she had put into getting the matter done.

The meeting discussed matters arising from the new status of KCA, including the selection of an auditor.

Brian Byrne.

This is your life, Sam

It isn't easy to keep a surprise party a secret from the recipient. Especially if you have to postpone it at the last minute and then do it again a few weeks later.

But Sam Sloan's family managed just that over the last month. The plan to surprise him for his 80th with a big spash in Fallons had to be hastily dropped when he became seriously ill a few days before the event.

Thankfully he recovered, and last Sunday in Fallons some 120 people turned out to celebrate with him. He was clearly taken completely by surprise as his sons Kieran and Fergal brought him through the end door of the back restaurant.



"I hadn't a clue," he said afterwards. "I thought I was coming to a quiet family lunch."

There were lots of tears and many choked throats as Sam 'worked the room' before the meal and met up with friends, brothers, cousins -- he has more than 60 first cousins, we heard afterwards -- and a bunch of friends from Kilcullen and Crookstown, where he taught in the National School for 21 years.

The rest of the afternoon was, well, it was like any great party, with lots of stories, recollections and reminiscences.

In olden times it was a tradition that poems of praise would be written for people who had achieved much. So it was from the Sloan family too, with Fergal reading out in verse the story of his Dad's life. His meeting with his wife, the late Phyllis, and subsequent raising of his family and working as a teacher for a total of 32 years after leaving his native Roscommon all featured in the poetic 'This is Your Life'.



There were lots of 'thank you's said on all sides -- Sam did his 'as Gaeilge' in part, and with flowers for his daughter Fiona, with whom he is living today. His brother Frank paid tribute to how Sam had looked after Phyllis in her illness before she died in 1998.

In conversation later Sam recalled some of the aspects of his teaching career, noting that things changed considerably with the arrival of television in the early 60s. "Discipline went out the window, and you could see which children were up at night watching the television," he said. "Homework was neglected, and I remember the night they gave me a party for my retirement, I told the parents even then that there was a knob on the thing to turn it off."

That said, some of the most pleasant memories of his career and afterwards are of pupils of his who are now teachers themselves. "I feel I must have passed something on. And it is great too when past pupils come up and say I had taught them, even if I can't remember them from Adam!"

It isn't many who manage to achieve 80 years even in these days of modern medical miracles, so that itself was worthy of last weekend's celebration. But to be there surrounded by so many family and friends is the icing on the cake, isn't it?

Brian Byrne.

The Man in the Moon

Arthur Taplis was renowned in Kilcullen for his tall tales, and he spent many an evening in Byrne's Bar telling them to any who would listen.

One of his contemporaries was Willy Baxter, whose purpose in life seemed to be to top Arthur's stories with even taller ones of his own.

So there was the time Arthur recalled how he had once made a ladder long enough so that he was able to hammer a nail into the moon.

Willy listened until Arthur finished, then lifted his Guinness and took a long sip before replying. "And did you see the man in the moon while you were up there?"

"I did," answered Taplis. "But I didn't pay any attention to him."

"Well," Willy said quietly, "well, that was me, waiting for you to finish so I could crimp the nail."

Game, set ... and match in the moon.

Postcard from La Boca

There's a bust of Admiral William Brown, the Irishman who founded the Argentine Navy, in the La Boca area of Buenos Aires. It overlooks a harbour which, thanks to generations of corruption and a waste disposal mafia, is now reckoned to be the most polluted body of water in South America.



More

Harold Mitchell: An Appreciation

Harold (known in Reading as Harry) worked most of his life in the building trade. Like most people his age in Kilcullen, he left Ireland to work in the Reading area with colleagues from school. Prior to this he had various jobs in Ireland, and my earliest recollection of him was as a postman. He worked the country route and would ride off on his bike with his bag full of post. He always came home with more in the bag than when he started -- chickens, eggs, butter and home-made bread -- most welcome to a large family.

Harold was an extremely generous person and, like his father before him, would give away his last penny if he thought someone's need was greater than his. He frequently provided friends and neighbours with eggs, rabbits, joints of meat and anything else that 'fell off the back of a lorry'.

He had a great love of horse-racing and could spend hours in front of his TV as long as there was a race meeting to watch. With his friend Arthur, he did his annual pilgrimage to Goodwood and, just before he became ill, had fixed up a trip to Ireland for the Irish Derby. He has probably visited more race-courses than most -- no doubt inherited by being born so close to The Curragh. It must have been a great blessing living so close to Ascot, Newbury, Windsor and Cheltenham!

He was not a great one for expressing his feelings, but he loved his family dearly, particularly his grand-children, and to the end he was concerned for their safety and welfare. Thelma, Christopher and all his family will miss someone who brought laughter to their lives. We will remember him most for his famous jokes -- the legs of salmon he promised to deliver and the fish sitting under the bridge to keep out of the rain ...

Harold had many words of wisdom to impart on his fellow man but he used the minimum amount of words to get his message across! One of his favourite sayings was 'live while you can and die when you can't help it'.

We shall all miss him.

Ann.

Americans experience La Touche

A group of 21 young American sociology students visited Harristown House last weekend as part of a trip to the areas of Carnalway and Brannockstown associated with the La Touche family.



The students were from two colleges, Hobart & William Smith College in Geneva, NY, and its associated Union College, Schenectady, NY. Since August they have been studying in NUI Galway with visiting Professor of Sociology at Hobart & William Smith, Jim Spates.

"We're in Ireland for just one semester and what I'm trying to do in association with their studies is give them as much a sesne of Ireland as I can," Professor Spate told the Diary. "So we've had weekend visits to Dublin, Cork, Derry and Belfast in Northern Ireland, and to Carraroe in Connemara."

The trip to Kilcullen came about because of Professor Spates's personal interest in the painter John Ruskin, who had a strong association with the La Touche family through his friendship with the daughter of the family, Rose.

"Because of my interest in Ruskin, I have known Robert and Olive Dunlop of Brannockstown for some time, and through them I met Hubert Beaumont and his wife at Harristown. I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to give the students a personal history of a big house and the history and stories attached to it."




The visit began with a visit to the La Touche Mausoleum, located outside the graveyard at St Patrick's Church at Carnalway. Pastor Robert Dunlop gave some details of the history of the family, and Hubert Beaumont then gave a reading of Rose La Touche's description of the burial of her Uncle William there.



Afterwards the party went back to the church, where Pastor Dunlop spoke at length about the La Touches, before all retired to Harristown for refreshments.

"It was a most memorable visit," Pastor Dunlop commented.

Brian Byrne.

Miscellany on Sunday update

As promised in The Bridge I can now update the line-up for the annual Phena and Tom Bermingham fundraiser for Michael Garry House hostel for the homeless in Newbridge on Sunday November 25 2-6pm. The event will take place as usual at Tom and Phena's home in Mooretown.

This year we are delighted to welcome back our regular artistic supporters -- Kilcullen Drama Group will perform scenes from 'the mother of all farces' Cash on Delivery which is currently in rehearsals. Philomena Breslin will sing songs from her extensive repertoire; Ludaigh Moran will sing ballads to his own guitar accompaniment; James Healy will read from his collected writings; Dorly O'Sullivan will add an air of class with her classical ensemble; Aoife Kelly will play traditional fiddle tunes and classical violin pieces (though not at the same time!); myself, Roy Thompson with guitar, will perform original songs and numbers from singer/songwriters.

We are especially pleased to welcome some new and returning artists -- Nessa Dunlea will perform some recitations; Eoin and Alan O'Toole will sing and play a blend of songs; Brian Byrne will put down the camera and take up the guitar and we're delighted to have him using both talents on the day!

Other artists have indicated their hopes to be with us and as they confirm I will post further updates. We look forward to seeing you all there. We count on your generous support to make this event a success.

If you haven't been before or you're new to the area do come along. Look out for signs and balloons at the house entrance 4 miles from Kilcullen out the N78 on the left. More details from Phena on 485232.

Roy Thompson.

John Mitchell: Acknowledgement

The family of the late John Mitchell, Nicholastown, would like to thank most sincerely all those who have been so kind to them during their sad loss. To all who attended the removal and funeral mass and sent mass cards, thank you. We would also like to thank Fr Paddy Ryan and Fr Michael Murphy for their assistance and their prayers at this difficult time.

A special word of thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff in St James's Hospital who cared for John during his short illness. Many thanks also to Mr George Hughes for taking care of the funeral arrangements. Thank you also to John's close neighbours and close friends for their kind words and the time they spent with John. Also to Mrs Breslin and Kilcullen Choir.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for all your intentions.

Sponsored walk for school

A sponsored walk through Gilltown Stud is being organised by the Brannockstown Community Group in conjunction with the national school's Parents Association.

The walk on 2 December begins from Markeys Stray Inn and will return there for refreshments afterwards.

The day is an opportunity to see the major improvements to the stud which were carried out in recent years.

Sponsorship cards can be got at Brannockstown NS. Donations to the fund can also be made on the day.

Meanwhile, a Table Quiz in aid of school funds will be held in The Stray Inn on Friday 23 November at 9pm.

Brian Byrne.

Sam gets a surprise party

Just to mention that there wasn't a dry eye in the house yesterday afternoon when Sam Sloan was given a surprise 80th birthday party by his family.



More than 120 people turned out to wish Sam well. He's pictured above with his three brothers, and we'll have a full report later. Meanwhile, here's a slide show of the event.

Chess opening moves

A Chess League is being held to decide the Kilcullen team to compete in the County Kildare Chess Finals of Community Games 2008.

The venue is the Paris Centre, and the league is being held on the evenings of 20 and 27 November, and 4 December. They're taking place between 6.30-7.30pm.

There's a two euros entry fee, and anyone wishing to enter should call Anne Quigley at 087 7733576.

Have you booked?

About volunteerism...

It was like locusts descending on a field of corn. Before, there was plenty; after, there was almost nothing.



The fundraising Cake Sale in the Parish Centre last night, in aid of new sound equipment for the Family Mass Group, was a short-lived affair.

Everything went. Fast. Your editor was fortunate to be able to buy a half brown bread for his supper, and only then because somebody who had already lifted it changed her mind. It was all home-made, too.







"And people say nobody bakes at home any more," Siobhan Tutty-Bardon mused as she waited for the after 7.30 mass hordes, guarding the goodies on her own while the other helpers took the chance to attend mass.

Well, they do. And they don't mind giving their time an expertise to a good cause. "Isn't volunteerism great?" Siobhan added. She'd just take a text on her phone from a friend who was also in the middle of a community project as a volunteer.

Yep, volunteerism is alive and well, even if some of our Government ministers have suggested otherwise in recent times, decrying the materialistic effects of the Celtic Tiger they take the credit for creating.

Actually, whatever wealth was created was done by people, not politicans. And, perversely, those same politicians continue to benefit from the efforts of the people they are elected to serve.

Haven't seen Bertie volunteering for much lately ... except to volunteer whinges about the fact that he hasn't a yacht, or a Chequers, or special tax deals.

Still, real volunteerism is alive and well in Kilcullen, and in similar communities all over the country.

Brian Byrne.

Library break-in

Thieves who broke into the Library during the week damaged windows and stole a computer.

But the computer was recovered later by gardai and is now being examined by forensic experts for fingerprints or any other evidence.



The Diary understands that the computer was located hidden in the immediate area, and it is suggested the thieves may have been planning to retrieve it later.

It isn't clear exactly when the break-in happened, as the Library is only open a few days a week. But it may have been Wednesday night.

The facility remained closed through Friday, pending repairs to the broken windows, and was scheduled to reopen on Saturday at 12.30.

Brian Byrne.

La Touche family presentation

There's an opportunity tomorrow to retrace the steps of the La Touche family, at St Patrick's Church, Carnalway.

The event kicks off at 1.30pm and will include a talk by Robert Dunlop on the complex romantic relationship between Rose La Touche and John Ruskin. Leading Ruskin scholar Professor Jim Spates will also attend with a group of his students from the USA.

The afternoon will include a visit to the La Touche mausoleum in Harristown estate.

Brian Byrne.

Scouting achievements

Congratulations to the members of Kilcullen Scouts who received Long Service awards recently -- Hilary Kilpatrick with five years' service, Johnny Reddy 20 years, and three members of the Reade family, Richard, Dick and Kitty.

Dick and Kitty Reade were also recently given the Cuchulain Award, the highest for an adult in scouting in Ireland.

Brian Byrne.

Footpath idea to be discussed

Local councillors are to consider next week the possibility of providing a footpath on one of the most dangerous roads in the town.

The idea was mooted by Valley Park trustee Jim Collins, who suggested that the crumbling wall between Nolans' car park and the Jockey Stile on the Milemill Road be replaced by a proper path.



"The Nolans development has resulted in a nice extension to the footpath from the town," he told the Diary. "But the stretch along by the top of the Valley on a dangerous turn has none, and people walking out to the graveyards take their life in their hands there, running a gauntlet of traffic."

Jim has suggested to the council that it could take down the wall and build in from it onto the top of the Valley to make a safe footpath, which would link up with the gravel and grass path along the Milemill Road.



"The wall is in bad shape anyhow, because of several traffic collisions, and will have to be rebuilt on safety grounds alone," Jim says. "I've looked at the Valley side of it, and I see no problem about donating to the Council whatever bit of land would be needed for a footpath."



He recently wrote to all the local councillors, asking them to take an interest in the project, which would involve a total length of about 150 yards of new path. Cllr Paddy McNamara replied, and he has a proposal down for discussion next Tuesday at the Naas Area Meeting.

The motion is: 'The Naas Area Committee acknowledges the generous offer for the provision of land by the Trustee of Valley Park, Kilcullen, for the construction of a footpath. The NAC resolves that the Area Office contacts the Trustee and prepares a costing for completion of this project for inclusion in the programme of works for 2008'.

Brian Byrne.

New soccer website

Kilcullen Soccer Club now has its own website, set up by Hugh Hannigan.

It can be accessed at www.kilcullenafc.com and as it develops it will provide background on the club and its activities, news reports from matches, and other stuff of interest to local soccer fans.

Check in regularly to see what's on.

Karate club appeal

The Kilcullen Kenpo Karate Club is appealing for sponsorship to help it send representatives to the european championships of the sport, which will be held in Jersey in March.

The club trains on Monday evenings in Kilcullen Parish Centre between 6.30-7.30, under the supervision of Black Belt holders Paul Treacy and Robert Greene.

Membership is open to anyone over six years of age and further information on membership or sponsorship is available from 087 9120586.

Brian Byrne.

Pharmacy property for sale

The premises formerly owned by the Moloney family has been put up for sale by its present owners.



The property, which is protected, was bought by Burkes Pharmacy in 2005 for a sum in the region of 1.3m euros. The Naas-based business already had an outlet on Hillcrest at the north end of town. The building was subsequently fitted out and opened as another pharmacy.

However, it closed after a short period of trading, during which a third pharmacy on that same short stretch of Kilcullen's streetscape was opened by Adrian Dunne. That enterprise also closed after a period, leaving the field back to Kilcullen's original long-established pharmacy, operated by Bernard Berney. He is currently redeveloping his business after buying the former Post Office building.

The Burkes property is being offered as a prime commercial opportunity.

Brian Byrne.

Peter Mulvey Returns to Ballymore

Mick Murphy's Bar Ballymore Eustace, Monday November 19 2007 8pm

Peter Mulvey began as a self-described "city kid" from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He played, wrote, and sang in bands while studying theatre at Marquette University. After graduating, he traveled to Ireland, where he learned the trade of busker on the streets of Dublin. Returning to the US a few years later, he settled in Boston, building an audience through street and subway performing, while also immersing himself in the thriving musical community.

Since his 2000 release 'The Trouble with Poets', Mulvey has found a home with the venerable indie label Signature Sounds Recordings. His most recent albums for the Massachusetts label were the 2006 release 'The Knuckleball Suite', the 2004 release 'Kitchen Radio', the 2003 collaborative 'Redbird' album (with label-mates Kris Delmhorst and Jeffrey Foucault), and his 2001 CD, 'Ten Thousand Mornings', an album of cover songs recorded entirely in the subways of Boston. MOJO described the album as 'simultaneously Mulvey's homage to his one-time training ground and a beautifully atmospheric record of gifted interpretations'.

Compared at times to Tom Waits and Randy Newman he is one of the finer exponents of the contemporary singer/songwriter genre. "Peter Mulvey is consistently the most original and dynamic of the US singer-songwriters to tour these shores… a phenomenal performer with huge energy, a quick fire, quirky take on life, and an extraordinary guitar style… a joy to see." -- so said the Irish Times.

Supporting on the night will be label mate Chris Pureka, 'a New England folkie with a parched, wounded voice and a mean way with an acoustic guitar, Pureka makes romantic depression seem, somehow, invigorating' according to the LA Daily News.

Opening the evening will be local singer/songwriter Roy Thompson.

Served with Enforcement Notice

The developer of a building beside The Hideout which was not completed in line with planning permission has been served with an Enforcement Notice by Kildare County Council.



Following complaints about the height of the structure, as well as other related matters, James Browne of Clane has been given two weeks to inform the Council of his plans to make the building compliant with the permission. He will have a further two months to rectify the matter.

Following an investigation, the Council found that Mr Browne's development is in breach of his permission on ten counts.

These include an excess height of approximately one metre, an unauthorised 'A' roof over a section of the building, unauthorised installation of six windows and a related relocation of a ventilations system, and an unauthorised screen wall on the second floor with four unauthorised access points.



Earlier this year the developer was also forced to close up a number of unauthorised windows which had been opened out onto the forecourt of the Esso filling station beside the building. Concerns of the danger of explosion and fire had been raised by Esso and the operator of the filling station, Josephine Byrne.

The excess height of the building has also been strongly criticised locally and has been the subject of considerable discussion by Kilcullen Community Action.

If Mr Browne fails to rectify the situation within the time stipulated, the Council has powers to go in and carry out the work itself, including demolition of any unauthorised aspect, and recover subsequently from the developer any costs incurred.

In addition, failure by the developer to carry out the necessary rectifications as detailed on an Enforcement Notice could make him liable to penalties of up to almost 13m euros as well as possible imprisonment for up to two years.

Ladbrokes recently opened a new betting shop on the ground floor, relocating from a smaller premises on the Milemill Road. The betting company was granted a separate planning permission for that business.

The Council's action against the developer is under the the provisions of Section 154 of the Planning & Development Act 2000-2006.

Brian Byrne.

Sculpture ready

The Dun Ailline sculpture planned for the representation of the ancient site at the south end of Nicholastown is now ready for erection.

The recent meeting of Kilcullen Community Action discussed the best time for the official unveiling of the edifice, and it was suggested that because of the relationship of the design to the solstices that 23 March next might be appropriate.

The 'spear' sculpture by Noel Scullion incorporates a feature which uses the sun on the solstices to light up a particular part of the whole thing.

"We might want to make sure that a few trees in the area are trimmed beforehand," J J Warren quipped.

Brian Byrne.

Holy Land -- the last mass

"As we come to the end of the journey we will find that life will never be the same again," Fr Michael Murphy said at the final mass of the recent Kilcullen Parish Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, at Abu Gosh where Jesus is said to have appeared to his disciples after the Resurrection.



The mass was held in the Benedictine Church of the Resurrection, on a hill overlooking the way the Kilcullen pilgrims had come from Jerusalem on their way to Tel Aviv Airport.



"We have come into contact with 'the Fifth Gospel', a physical reality which has touched us in a very deep way and will leave us changed," Fr Murphy added. "The greatest gift we can bring from here is a lighter step as we go along the path of our life. We know now what Christ endured for you and me and all of us, so that we too might rise to that new life."

Fr Murphy added that the 'balance is in our favour' for achieving this. As the group moved on, its members should ask themselves what is in their hearts, what did they really want to bring from here?

"What memory, what experience from this pilgrimage?" he wondered, and then suggested a thanksgiving. "We pray that our experience will give us the strength to bear the tribulations that are part of the human condition."

Fr Niall Thornton asked that the grace which had been 'given in abundance' would help all to 'penetrate the materialism that may be surrounding us in our lives'.

Fr Murphy concluded by thanking Carmel Bagnell for her organisation of the pilgrimage and tour operator Frank Tully (right) for taking such an interest in the group.

"And I thank all of you," he said to the participants. "It has been a great privilege to share with you an experience beyond words. I hope you will all bring to your friends word of this beautiful land, and of the powerful work of Jesus."

The Accidental Pilgrim

[NOTE: I had forgotten to write about this last pastoral occasion on the pilgrimage. This definitely is the final piece.]

Valley accolades and angst

Bouquets and brickbats have been thrown by Valley trustee Jim Collins over recent happenings in the park which he was prime mover in providing.

The bouquets are to a number of local people spotted picking up litter. "Kudos to you, you know who you are," he wrote in the latest issue of The Bridge magazine.

The brickbats were aimed at those who are responsible for the litter, especially those who drink in the Valley.

"All around the locations where there are seats, there are empty alcohol cans and bottles," Jim notes. "As the Valley is a public place, consumption of alcohol there is forbidden by law."

Jim suggests that a routine patrol by uniformed Gardai to caution the perpetrators would be 'beneficial'.

Also, he says there has been a suggestion that the seats be removed from the park.

"This would be a shame, but perhaps it is a necessary answer. Other suggestions to eradicate the problem would be welcome."

Meanwhile, some 3,000 euros has been spent on the Valley so far this year on drainage work, clearing of debris from storms, and replacement of signs and the provision of protection for the St Brigid's Well sculpture.

Donations to help meet these and other costs of maintaining the Valley can be made to The Valley Fund a/c in Bank of Ireland, Kilcullen. The a/c number is 42357112.

Brian Byrne.

KCA to look at flooding problem

Kilcullen Community Action is to examine the pathway from the main road at Nicholastown to the Community Centre to see if some flooding problems can be sorted out.

At the recent meeting, J J Warren said the path was used as a short cut to the Primary School and in winter the flooding caused difficulties for those using it.

Although the path is used by many different groups, including the schoolgoers and people using the facilities of the Community Centre and the clubs based around it, there is no definite ownership of the path.

"It is something that KCA probably should do," J J said. "It can probably be fixed by making a pebble drain alongside it, which would move the water to lower ground," he said.

The meeting agreed that he should look at the situation in more detail.

Brian Byrne.

A trip through the wall

If Mary and Joseph tried to get into Bethlehem this Christmas, so her baby could be born there, they might have problems.

Only a short drive out from Jerusalem, getting in and out of the town where the story of Jesus began now requires going through something like Checkpoint Charlie when Berlin was divided by a wall.

Bethlehem is divided from Israel by a similar wall, part of what will be more than 700 kilometres long when it is completed.

It's officially known as the Israeli West Bank Barrier. It is, to say the least, controversial. Certainly, while we in the Kilcullen group had no serious difficulty getting in and out -- though we had to change buses and tour guides to do so -- it was intimidating and depressing.

The Israelis say they need the barrier to keep out suicide bombers and other terrorist activities. They say that since the construction began in the early part of this decade the incidences of such attacks have been substantially reduced.



On the other hand, the wall -- visible from many vantage points snaking its way up and down the hills around Jerusalem -- in some parts displaces Palestinians from their traditional working lands, and also makes it difficult for many of them to travel into Israel for work. There are also claims that Israel has used the barrier to solidify the position of settlers on disputed lands.

I don't live there. And we as a group were rushing in and rushing out. Privileged to be able to do so. In the few hours we spent in the town, I was conscious of more hardship than had been apparent across the wall in Israel. But the people were friendly. Very. More so than on the side from where we'd come, where the sense is something like success against siege. That kind of thing, unfortunately, can and does breed arrogance.

A ten-day marathon around holy places doesn't qualify me to judge the true political or social situation. But the Bethlehem visit left me uncomfortable. If I was a Palestinian on the wrong side of that wall, I figure I'd feel an awful lot worse.

The Bethlehem experience was mixed. The appellations of 'Manger Street' and 'Manger Square' in front of the church on the holy site seemed a bit exploitative. And every few steps from where we had lunch in the restaurant across the square were running the gauntlet of souvenir sellers. But what's the difference between a fully-funded gift shop and the individual entrepreneur trying to make a buck or two? People have to live, and living requires money.

The church on the place where Jesus is supposed to have been born dates from 600 AD. It's said to be the only Christian church of its time in the Holy Land that wasn't destroyed by the Persians, and it is built on a church raised previously 200 years before that. There's a Greek Orthodox crypt, and an Armenian church alongside.

Confused? Yep, but think of the employment the whole thing has provided.

Consider too what Fr Murphy said during the mass celebrated there for the Kilcullen group. "We remember the greatest event in human history, the coming of Christ ... to bring meaning to our life." That's really why pilgrims travel, not for the subsequent architecture.



We queued to touch the place where the Saviour reputedly was born, under an altar of course, and to look at the manger, behind glass, where he spent his first hours.

Afterwards we went to the 'Shepherds Field' on the outskirts of the town and where the announcement by angels of the birth of Christ is believed to have taken place.

Leaving Bethlehem there was a mandatory stop at a gift shop which, we had been told repeatedly on the bus since we'd boarded, 'helps the Christians in Bethlehem'. A rapidly diminishing and very minority Christian population in the town where Christ arrived on Earth.



The presentations there were slick enough to be usable on a TV shopping channel. And the assistants were dressed and skilled enough to possibly have been trained in Macys of New York. We bought, to 'help the people of Bethlehem', at a level well beyond what we'd done so far on the trip.

Then we left Palestine. Not as quick or easily as we'd got in. There was a long wait as buses and cars were processed through. There were the Israeli soldiers coming aboard with automatic weapons, making sure we weren't carrying Palestinians. There was looking back at the wall, now floodlit in the quick Mediterranean darkness.

And I thought, the only difficulty in Kilcullen is the winter wind as I cross the bridge.

The Accidental Pilgrim

[NOTE: This piece is a little late, but concludes my holy sites contributions related the Kilcullen Parish Pilgrimage to the Holy Land last month. A reunion gathering for those who participated is scheduled for 7 December in Kilcullen Parish Centre.]

Cash only for drama presentation

Booking is now open for the Kilcullen Drama Group winter presentation of 'Cash on Delivery', a farce by Michael Cooney.

The production will be performed between 6-14 December, each evening at 8pm. Bookings can be made at Bernard Berney Chemist, phone 481497.

The cast in the play are Eilis Phillips, Catriona Poufong, Maurice O'Mahoney, John Coleman, Fergal Sloan, Bernard Berney, Dick Dunphy, Evelyn O'Sullivan, Vivian Clarke and Sabina Reddy.

It is being described as 'The mother of all Farces'.

Brian Byrne.

The Brady bunch in Boston

On their trip to Boston to visit with their son Noel, we're informed that John and Annamay Brady are keeping in touch with things at home via the Diary.



They're pictured here with their grandson Patrick, who will be three next month.

Brian Byrne.

The passing of John Mitchell

We have learned with sadness of the death of John Mitchell of Nicholastown, after an illness.

Brother of Paddy and Harold, both deceased in recent times, and also of Georgie, Marie and Ann, he will be sadly missed by his remaining extended family and by many friends from the Kilcullen in which he grew up and spent most of his life.

His funeral will leave Hughes Funeral Home in Naas at 5pm Sunday evening to arrive at Kilcullen Parish Church at 5.30pm. On Monday requiem mass will be celebrated at 11am. Afterwards John's remains will be brought to Newlands Cross Crematorium.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Appeal for help for Solas

An appeal for parents to support the soon to be opened 'Solas' youth cafe has been made by the initiative's organisers.

The cafe, which will be a 'safe place for teenagers to chill out' will be located in the Tennis Club Hall at Logstown.

The idea is an initiative by Kilcullen Lions Club which was followed up with research carried out by Transition Year students at Cross & Passion College.

The organisers says the doors can't open at Solas until volunteers come along to support the young people during their time on the premises.

Anyone wanting to help can do so by contacting Frances at 045 481566 or Jenni on 086 1729354.

Brian Byrne.

Martin in former Crookstown Inn

'Mine Host' at The Hideout Martin Myles has extended his pub/restaurant interests with his move into the former 'Crookstown Inn' on the Castledermot Road.

The premises was an old established pub before being demolished with the road improvements in that area some years ago. It was in more recent times rebuilt on a new but adjacent site as Shackleton's Rest.

Martin, who also has a pub interest in Baltinglass, intends to expand the restaurant side of the Crookstown operation under the 'Donnellys' banner he has established in The Hideout.

Brian Byrne.

Snoozing pilgrim

This pilgrim business can be an exhausting process.



This picture of the Accidental Pilgrim having a snooze on a wall atop Mount Tabor in Israel while the Kilcullen group waited for taxis to get them down was caught by Nessa Dunlea.

A taste of his own medicine for the various photographs taken by the Pilgrim himself during the trip. Incidentally, he is known to take regular 'power naps'to recharge his energy.

The Accidental Pilgrim