It Says in The Bridge: Apr 2008

Although not a special issue, the latest Bridge is a packed one with an unusual variety of interesting things. About Kilcullen old and new, about Kilcullenites at home and abroad, about concerns and potential.

In other words, the mix as usual.

The front page reflects this, with bouquets, brickbats and a little bit of history. The bouquets are handed to the shops in the town which act as sales outlets for the 'Bridge' in its 38th year, and who have done so for very many of those years. The magazine says 'you may never know how important your support has been to the community of Kilcullen'.

The brickbats are thrown at the perpetrators of a particularly nasty vandalism of the dugouts on the GAA grounds, just days after 5,000 euros had been spent constructing them. 'Shameful and despicable behaviour' is the writer's view, one with which most of the community will concur.

And the history bit is a picture of the Spring Equinox sun shining through Noel Scullion's amazing new sculpture in the Dun Ailinne Interpretive Park for the first time. This writer was among the two dozen people who got up early on a recent Saturday to witness the event, and I have to say it was a privilege indeed.

That particular story is detailed in the Environment News section of the magazine and notes that the event is a precursor for an official opening on July 13.

In school news, the CPC page concentrates on pupil Kelly Lawless's representing Ireland at Crufts in the Junior Handler Competition, for the second year in a row. She didn't win a big prize, but getting to the famous London dog show is a real achievement.

Scoil Bhride's big news was the winning of the regional final of the Credit Union League's Inter Schools Quiz Competition. The team was scheduled to represent the region in the National Finals last Sunday.

And Brannoxtown NS is never short of news. There's a Credit Union link too with one of them this month, noting that about 40 pupils in the school have accounts with that organisation. Marking the situation, Kilcullen Credit union gave Easter eggs to the school to raffle amongst the pupil members.

In other news, there's the financial result of the Landers Dance School feis in aid of the Parish, which raised over 5,000 euros. Daffodil Day was also a great success, with 6,358 euros raised, some 800 euros more than last year's effort. And there's a call to set up a walking and running group; call Sean on 087 2427742.

There's a Hollywood (CA) link with Kilcullen this month, too, in a report that the Kilcullen-based Talented Kids Performing Arts School and Agency has 25 of its students representing Ireland at the World Championships in Performing Arts scheduled to be held in Tinseltown in July. One of them is Ellen Gallagher, a First Year student at CPC. Sponsorship is needed.

There's coverage too of John Martin's successful debut as a playwright at the Riverbank Theatre in Newbridge, with 'Over the Top'. And in Kilcullen Lions News, the donation of 5,000 euros by KTK Landfill Ltd to that organisation for the soon-to-open Solas Youth Cafe project is detailed in picture form.

There are quite a few columns and features as usual. From the 'usual suspects', Billy Redmond muses about dogs and how they can cause problems for people like him going about their daily walks. He also links to the 'The Spout' literary page by urging people to read 'An Old Man's Wish' recitation published in that section. It is Billy's favourite piece, and I have to say that as I write this at 35,000 feet somewhere over Spain it brought tears to your Editor's eyes.

Pastor Robert Dunlop considers language, good, bad and indifferent, in a typically thoughtful piece, while Sean Landers sends us his usual Letter from Taiwan, this time bringing us on a history lesson back to the foundation of that independent breakaway from the Chinese mainland empire. In another article he reprints some queries from the internet relating to families from Kilcullen. For local genealogists, it should be fascinating.

There's a two-page spread from occasional contributor Garreth Byrne, who teaches English in China and spent his boyhood in Kilcullen. It's about a visit he made to the home of 'Chinaware', and is a reprint from 'Ireland's Own'. A page on how the Doyle family of Kilcullen went to Gort in County Galway to remember Sr Aloysius Doyle, a member of the family who was a founder of the Sisters of Mercy. The occasion was the celebration of 150 years of the Sisters in Gort, where Mother Aloysius spent 51 years.

There's the usual sports stuff, and lots of it though Mull is taking a rest from his Corner. And all the other elements of what Kilcullen people have come to know and love in their own community magazine for the last 37 years.

Another minor miracle, as we in publishing say when we get our latest mag out on the shelves. The 'Bridge', though, is one of the most enduring miracles of its kind.

Brian Byrne.