Class of 1990 reunion

Cross & Passion College Kilcullen Leaving Cert 1990 Reunion, 30 December in Kilcullen.

For Details Contact Denise (Kelly) O'Connell 086 1046803, Fiona O'Brien Redmond 087 2796431, or Rosemary Heydon 086 8050616.

Credit Union Poster Competition 2010

The prizes for the Kilcullen Credit Union 2010 were presented last night. Unfortunately the Diary didn't get there to take the usual photographs, but the results follow.

SPECIAL CATEGORY: 1st Micheala Pearse, Scoil Bhride; 2nd Kelvin Kelly, Scoil Bhride; 3rd Sean Treacy, Scoil Bhride; Commended: Tavian Dolan, Scoil Bhride; Laura Dunne, Scoil Bhride; Peter Murphy, Scoil Bhride; Cameron Holt, Scoil Bhride.

7 YEARS AND UNDER: 1st Ava Cronin, Brannockstown NS; 2nd Emma Sully, Brannockstown NS; 3rd Jessica Moore, Brannockstown NS; Commended: Molly O’Loughlin, Scoil Bhride; Roisin Garrett, Brannockstown; Anna Shaw, Brannockstown.

8–10 YEARS: 1st Leon Cullen, Scoil Bhride; 2nd Molly Gervin, Scoil Bhride; 3rd Eoin Redmond, Scoil Bhride; Commended: Jamie Hayden, Scoil Bhride; Julia Arseniuk, Halverstown; Aoibhinn McGrath, Halverstown.

11–13 YEARS: 1st Khalid Kamil, Scoil Bhride; 2nd Ross Halloran, Scoil Bhride; 3rd Myles O’Connor, Scoil Bhride; Commended: Ella Byrne, Scoil Bhride; Lauren Muldowney, Scoil Bhride; Cait Mulreid, Halverstown.

GAA AGM rescheduled

Due to the bad weather the Kilcullen GAA AGM has been postponed until Monday 6th December at 8pm, writes Henry Barrett.

Also Kilcullen GAA are holding their Christmas Social and Presentation Night this Friday the 3rd of December in Lumville House at 8pm.

Tickets cost €15 and are available from commitee members or on the night.

Presentations on the night will be made to the Keogh Cup, Junior Championship, and Minor Ladies teams, as well as all the club awards.

All members and non-members are welcome to attend. Evening supper provided on the night. For more details or to book tickets, contact Warren Kelly on 086 1991637.

Fallons get another award

Fallons Restaurant in Kilcullen has won yet another award, being voted the Top Regional member in the East & Midlands category of the Good Food Ireland Awards.

The accolade was presented at an event in Dublin's Shelbourne Hotel, by the Minister for Tourism, Culture & Sport, Mary Hanafin TD.

It was the fourth such event organised by the Good Food Ireland organisation and it was attended by more than 300 representatives from the food and tourism sectors including chefs, restaurateurs, hoteliers, farmers, fishermen and food producers from the four corners of Ireland.

In all, 16 awards were presented by the Minister, with GFI founder and chairman respectively, Margaret Jeffares and Redmond O'Donoghue.

The awards are based on consumer nominations over the last 12-month period and an independent judging panel of six quality assurance representatives.

The members of Good Food Ireland employ some 5,000 people in businesses ranging from B&Bs to 5-star hotels to restaurants, pubs, cafes, cookery schools, food shops, food producers and farmers markets. The organisation's objective is to grow Ireland as a destination for good food and direct international visitors and Irish consumers to our member establishments so as to guarantee a quality Irish food experience.

The Best New Member award went to another County Kildare establishment, The Silver Restaurant in Newbridge Silver.

Seniors, stay warm and safe

Hypothermia, frostbite and falls are among the winter-related dangers older adults face and it is important that seniors take precautions at this time of year, writes Amanda Bohan of Home Instead Senior Care in Kilcullen. Here are some pointers to help seniors keep safe and warm this winter:

Stay indoors when it is very cold outside, especially if it is also very windy.

If you have to go outside, do not stay out in the cold or the wind for very long.

Wear a hat and gloves when out in the cold and always cover your mouth and nose with a scarf.

Stay dry as wet clothing chills your body quickly.

Go indoors if you start shivering -- it is a warning sign that you are losing body heat.

Falls are another danger for older adults during winter. To lower the risk of falls:

Do not walk on icy or snowy footpaths.

Wear boots with non-skid soles.

If you use a cane, replace the rubber tip before it is worn out and looses its grip. An ice pick-like attachment that fits onto the end of the cane can help keep you from slipping.

Ensure steps and walkways are shovelled free of snow outside so you have a clear and safe entrance to the home.

When the phone rings, the fight is on

Michael Collins pictured with the Kilcullen Drama Group cast of 'Two for a Girl'.

When the mobile phone that is the other 'performer' in Michael Collins's presentation of his one-man play 'Mobile' rings for the second time, he doesn't answer it, writes Brian Byrne. When it stops ringing, he lets the silence hang for several seconds.

"If I can hear nothing but perhaps a chair scraping, then I know I have my audience," he says.

And he did have them during the recent Kilcullen performance of his play about traveller feud fighting. In the short few minutes he had been on stage, those watching and listening had become totally absorbed in his story.

That's what Michael, who became nationally famous during the '90s for his portrayal of the traveller Blackie Connors in 'Glenroe', is: a storyteller.



And in the telling of the story about a traveller being pulled into a family 'honour' fight over something in which he'd had no involvement, he also weaves many other elements of traveller life and culture. At the end, we not only have a very clear understanding of what the lone man on the stage is feeling, but we also feel we know the rest of his family, close and extended. And what makes him, and them, tick.

'Mobile' is the middle play of a trilogy of one-acts which Michael Collins has written, based on his own experiences of growing up in the travelling community. The first, 'A Culture Thing, or Is It?', is portrayed from a child's view, offering a history of travellers from the 1960s up to today.

"When I was young, the traditional trades like tinsmithing were still there, and we used to live in the wagons," he remembers. "We went from there to the trailers, from the trailers to the huts, and from the hut to the house. Because it is seen through the eyes of a child, it is a lovely way of presenting a very emotional story, through comedy."

'Mobile' has comedy, too. But it is gritty, and tough, and sad as the storyteller deals with his angst after being told to fight his first cousin, his best friend, his brother-in-law.

"I wrote it because I've always been worried about the whole feud fighting thing, and the way it is portrayed by the media. Settled people believe that it is simply a cultural thing, but I wanted to show how it affects travellers themselves, that it tears families apart."

In the show, Michael doesn't let anyone off the hook: the travellers themselves, the settled people and their beliefs, and the gardai who just don't want to get involved. His character has a real passion about the fighting being wrong, and yet he's torn by the tradition that binds him to it.

"I'm always passionate about my work. But I do remember those kind of incidents. And I base the other character, the one that I'm supposed to fight, on my best friend Jimmy. We're married to two sisters, I'm his son's godfather, we're drinking buddies and work mates. In order to get the realism I think of him. And, of course, I'd never go out to fight him; he's my best friend."

But in that real life from which he draws his writing and his performances, the pressure is still on, now with modern day additions like making movies of the fights and putting them on YouTube. Michael believes the situation is changing, but not fast enough. And sometimes, not for the right reasons.

"There are some travellers who just won't get involved, and that will grow. But then there's the fact that, in these times, it doesn't take a big man to pull a trigger, and feuding can mean someone coming to your home and shooting you. So that's helping to put a stop to the fighting, but in the wrong way."

The reaction of his own people to 'Mobile' has always been positive, he says. "The first time I did it in front of travellers I was terrified. Not because I was afraid anyone would come up and give me a box, but because I was performing it in front of my family, my cousins, my friends.

"But what they say always is that I'm showing things right. That's how it is. And though they sometimes laugh at the parts when I'm talking about the fighting, I know that that is a nervous reaction to the truth."

His third piece, 'Worlds Apart, Same Difference', is with another actor, and reflects on what can happen when traveller and black cultures meet, in compounding confusion. After last week's performance in Kilcullen, there's an immediate audience waiting for that particular show to come to the boards of the Town Hall Theatre.

(This article was originally published on the Kilcullen page of the Kildare Nationalist.)

Arthritis workshop held

Carers in Kildare and Laois participated in a free half day workshop last week in the Home Instead Senior Care office in the office on Main Street. The workshop helped carers learn about arthritis, what the ‘pain cycle’ is and how to break it, the importance of exercise, and the benefits of relaxation methods.

They also received some practical tips on improving communications between the carer and the person being cared for, as well as information on treatments for arthritis, and how to identify medical priorities. Ultimately, and most importantly they learned about self management and how to provide help and assistance while enabling the person with arthritis maintain as much mobility, independence and control over their life as possible.

All participants received a full Carers Pack to take home. Similar workshops will take place in 17 locations nationwide over the next 12 months. Early registration is essential as these workshops are likely to prove extremely popular.

Carers also received a copy of the information booklet, ‘Caring Hands: Caring for A Person with Arthritis’. To request a copy of the booklet, to register for the Caring Hands Workshop or to speak to someone about caring for a person with arthritis contact Arthritis Ireland’s National Arthritis Helpline on LoCall 1890 252 846 or visit www.arthritisireland.ie.

Christmas drama offerings

Kilcullen Drama Group is presenting two Christmas plays running from Wednesday 8th December through the 12th (with a break on the 10th), writes Philomena Breslin.

'Papa Panov' is based on a story by Leo Tolstoy, which concerns an old shoe-maker living alone who dreams that Jesus is going to visit him on Christmas Day. He shares his hope with his only friends, the children of the village. He is scorned by the adults who believe him to be insane. What happens on that fateful Christmas day carries an important message for us all.

The second play, 'Operation Christ Child', by M Wray, is a humorous look at what happened among the Angels in Heaven when the decision to send the Christ Child to earth was taken. Various angels are sent to earth to perform different tasks so that the coming of the Messiah may be as foretold in the Old Testament. One angel is appointed to direct the three wise men to Bethlehem. Another to organize that there is, ‘No room at the Inn', another to inform Mary of the event, and so it goes. Each of the angels meets some difficulty in performing his/her assigned duty. The result is a delightful human insight into The Nativity Story.

The evening’s entertainment begins with a selection of Christmas songs and music just to create the right mood.

IMF-negotiated admission €10. Matinee for Children €5. To book phone (045) 481497.

Lighting, signs for Thompson's Cross

Works are to begin immediately on erecting lighting and further warning signs at the notorious Thompson's Cross junction, writes Brian Byrne.

This follows a strong campaign by local residents and councillors about the dangers of the junction, which has been the location of 16 reported accidents and an unknown number of near misses in the last year.

The Council announcement has been welcomed by Cllr Martin Heydon, who has led the campaign in the Council from the time it was clear the design of the junction was dangerous.

He notes that in addition to public lighting and more warning signs, the vegetation at the approach to the junction along the R148 will be trimmed.

Following negotiations this last week, the cost of the works will be borne by the National Roads Authority.



Also, following demands by all three local councillors, emergency warning signs have been located on all approaches to the junction.

Thundersnow very rare

Diary readers might be curious about the combination of thunder and snow we are experiencing this morning.

It is a very rare occurrance, but is not unknown even in these islands (though your editor must confess to not having experienced it before).

Aptly called 'thundersnow', in the US only six occurrances are recorded on average each year.

This one in Kent, England last year, happened during a BBC TV interview recording.

Advent radio programmes from CPC

CPC Transition Year students are broadcasting a series of radio programmes for Advent, which can be heard on the local parish radio service on 107FM.

The first programme can be heard on Sunday 28th November at 6pm. The broadcast times for the following Sundays are scheduled for 6.30pm, though may be subject to change if there are other services. The programmes are being produced by pastoral worker Hannah Evans.

Our pictures show some of the students recording Sunday's programme.

The passing of Sheila Dowling

It is with personal sadness that your editor records the death of Sheila Dowling, Nicholastown.

A woman of unfailing good humour, she passed on this morning after a long illness. She will be missed not just by her loving family but by a wide range of friends across the Kilcullen community.

Sheila will be reposing at home tomorrow, Saturday, and will be removed to Kilcullen Parish Church on Sunday evening to arrive at 7pm. Her funeral mass will take place on Monday morning at 11am.

Sheila's late husband Billy, who was associated with your editor's family for all his working life, died in January 2006.

May she rest in peace.

Carols by Candlelight

The Annual "Carols By Candlelight" Service at Brannockstown Baptist Church will be held on Thursday, 23 December at 8:00pm.

The musical accompaniment will be provided by the Dara String Quartet, and a local soloist will be singing a special selection.

Pastor Mark Hamblen will be speaking briefly on "When God Became Approachable".

The event should last about an hour, and all are very welcome to attend. Mince pies and tea will be provided after. For more information, visit our website at www.BrannockstownBaptist.ie or tel. 045 420 811.

Christmas Day Service will be held at Brannockstown Baptist Church at 11:00am and will last for half an hour. All are very welcome to attend. For more information, visit our website at www.BrannockstownBaptist.ie or tel. 045 420 811.

Alisha Hamblen.

Fundraiser for VdeP

Kilcullen Juvenile Badminton Club is hosting a 'Christmas Fare' fundraiser on December 11 in aid of the St Vincent de Paul Society.

The event begins at 11am and will run until 2pm, at Kilcullen Community Centre.

On sale will be books, bric a brac, cakes, mince pies and tea & coffee. There will also be face painting and a raffle.

All funds raised will go to the local branch of St VdeP. The charity needs help more than ever this year because of the economic circumstances. Please help all you can.

The passing of Tom Bermingham

The Diary has learned with deep sadness of the death of Tom Bermingham of Mooretown.

Tom is reposing at his home from 12 noon today, until removal on Friday evening at 6.30pm to the Church of the Sacred Heart & St Brigid, Kilcullen, for arrival at 7pm.

After his funeral mass at 11am on Saturday, Tom will be laid to rest in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Suncroft.

He will be sadly missed by his wife of 50 years, Phena, their children Fr John, Sheila, Catherine, Brendan, Noeleen, Brian, Mary and Thomas; their grandchildren Paul, Marie, Stephen, Siobhan, Aisling, Sophie, Ziyan, Zheng Yi, Ciaran, David, Kevin, Oisin, Emma, Lucas, and Hannah.

Tom and Phena celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last July.

The family has requested that donations in lieu of flowers can be made, if so wished, to the Michael Garry House for the homeless in Newbridge, for which the Berminghams have hosted fundraising events every December over many years.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

New art exhibition in GFG

The November/December art exhibition in The Good Food Gallery is being officially opened tonight.

The artist is Ann McKenna, based at the Leinster Print Studio in Clane, who specialises in Intaglio Etching as well as portraiture and landscape work.

The opening event begins at 7.30pm.

In the Kildare Nationalist

In this week's Kildare Nationalist from Kilcullen: Review of the recent Michael Collins show 'Mobile' in Kilcullen Town Hall Theatre; another food award for Fallons; and how Kilcullen Credit Union can help with Christmas.

Plus, first drive in the new generation Citroen C4 by editor of Irish Car+Travel magazine, Brian Byrne (also the Diary's editor).

Christmas mass choir practice

The Gormanstown Church Choir are starting choir practice for mass on Christmas Eve.

We'll be singing the traditional Christmas songs as well as the parts of the mass.

Choir practice will be every Monday at 8:30pm between now and Christmas in Dorly O'Sullivan's house and starts on November 22nd.

For further details, contact Dorly at 086-8274884.

Niamh Murray.

The passing of Mary Pender

The Diary has learned of the death of Mary Pender (nee Keogh), Nicholastown, Kilcullen and formerly Kilashee, Naas.

Mary is currently reposing at her residence. Removal will take place from there on Monday morning at 10.30 to the Church of the Sacred Heart and St Brigid, arriving for 11pm Requiem Mass.

Her funeral will take place immediately afterwards to St Brigid's Cemetery.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

Bubbly celebration on playground site

"There were times when we never thought we'd get here," Orla O'Neill of the Community Playground Project said as she celebrated with committee members, and future users of the facility, marking the arrival of the playground contractor on site.

Will it take a death before action?

It really looks like a death will have to occur before proper action is taken at accident black spot Thompson's Cross.

That's the view of Sabina Reddy, a local resident, in a further email to Kildare County Council following the latest crash there last night, which left a family 'very shaken' after their car overshot the junction and ended up against the (much battered) roadsigns across from the Kilgowan road.

Her previous communication to the Council, on 14 October, related to a smiliar accident involving an articulated lorry. In it she noted that it is the responsibility of the Council to make the junction safe.

The junction was built as part of the works for the M9 extension opened a year ago.

Sabina says that, at the very least, a series of warning signs need to be put up on the approach to the junction from Kilgowan, including an 'Accident Black Spot' indication. But she echoes the widespread local opinion that a roundabout incorporating the Sunnyhill Road junction is the best solution.

Another Thompson's Cross crash

The latest incident at the now notorious Thompson's Cross left a 60-year-old man and his family very shaken tonight.

The family was travelling from a funeral when their car overshot the junction coming from the Kilgowan road.

Cllr Martin Heydon, who has been to the fore in trying to have the junction made safe, said tonight that the situation has now reached 'ridiculous' proportions and he will call the County Manager directly tomorrow, Sunday.

All three local councillors have motions on the junction down for discussion at Monday's Athy Area meeting of Kildare County Council.

Recall 'The Spirit of 1923' - Heydon

The 'broken' Ireland of today could draw inspiration from the country's first Government as a means of getting back on its financial feet.

That's the view of Fine Gael's general election candidate in Kildare South, Cllr Martin Heydon.



Speaking at the launch of his new website, Cllr Heydon noted that the 1923 Government led by WT Cosgrove and Cumann Na nGaedheal took over a divided country, economically ruined and with a physical infrastructure 'in tatters'.

"The budgetary problems faced by Cosgrove and his government were enormous," he told a packed house at Judge Roy Bean's in Newbridge on Thursday night. "Tough choices and strong leadership were needed to get things back in order."

But even though that government had to virtually halve its spending over the next three years, it still managed to get underway the electrification of Ireland with the building of the Ardnacrusha dam, involving the building of 65 miles of railway, the construction of four major bridges, the diversion of nine rivers and four streams. And, crucially, the employment of 5,000 men.

"Similar to today, we had some assistance from Germany, who sent over engineers and machinery. And just four years later WT Cosgrove pushed the button that let the first water through the turbines."

Cllr Heydon compared that feat with the snail's pace of the Greater Dublin Water Supply project which aims to pump water from the Shannon to the east of the country. It has taken 14 years to get to the planning application stage, and will take at least another 12 years before it is commissioned.

"Something has gone very wrong in this country," he said. "We need to get back to basics, cut through the red tape. That first Government, with little resources and without the technologies we have now, managed to create the structures of a new modern state. In 2010, that state now faces new challenges."

Cllr Heydon concluded by saying that no government in itself is going to fix a country when it is broken. "It is down to the people themselves," he said. "Government can lead, assist, and make sure the conditions are right for recovery, but without the will of the people it will not happen."

The candidate's message on Thursday night was blunt: it is time for the national spirit that pulled the new Free State up by its bootstraps back in the 20s to be recalled to duty and lead us out of the current economic mess.

Pictured above with Cllr Martin Heydon at the launch are Fionnuala Dukes, Phena Bermingham and Anne Bermingham.

Brian Byrne.

Advent and Christmas presents

The Parish Shop is setting up a special display in the church on Saturday and Sunday 20/21 November to show ideas for Advent and Christmas gifts with a Catholic theme.

These will include books, cards and gifts. They will be available to buy on the days, or later in the Parish Shop located in the Parish Centre.

Cycle Fun Day raised €1,000

The recent Family Cycle Fun Day organised by Brannockstown Community Committee raised €1,000 for its funds.

It was the second event of its kind organised by the Committee, and they are very happy with the number of cyclists and walkers who turned out. The weather was fine, and a good fresh air time was had by all. The Committee has expressed its thanks to all who assisted in any way in making the day a success.

A Table Quiz will be run in the Stray Inn on Friday 26 November to raise funds for the Committee's Tidy Town activities. It starts at 8.30pm and all are welcome.

Lions Club Wine Night

Paul Carey of The Good Food Gallery welcomes Evelyn O'Sullivan to the Lions Club Wine Tasting night with a glass of champagne.

Apart from raising funds for local charities, the evening also marked the completion of the first year in business for the GFG.

Playground contractor on site

The company building the new Community Playground is now on site and work is expected to be completed in February.

Orla O'Neill, who led the committee that pushed through the long-awaited project, said it was a 'champagne' occasion for the group. "But given the current state of the economy, maybe we'll settle for a bottle of Cava," she quipped.

The €200,000 project is being paid for by Kildare County Council, local funds, and the County Kildare Leader group.

Lions Wine Tasting on Thursday

Kilcullen Lions Club is hosting a Wine Tasting Evening in The Good Food Gallery on Thursday 18 November at 8.30pm.

The event is in aid of local charities. All support welcome.

Motion calls for Main Street repairs

A motion asking Kildare County Council to repair Kilcullen's Main Street is down for discussion at next Monday's meeting of the Athy Area Committee meeting of Kildare County Council.

The motion, put down by Cllr Martin Heydon, mentions in particular the condition of the surface of the bridge, which never got its final surface work during the heavy construction period some years ago.





The Committee is also to discuss proposals for the change of the speed limit on the former N7 between Kilcullen and the Carlow county border. Normally when a motorway takes over from a National Route, the former 'N' road becomes an 'R' road and the limits drop.

Great response to 'Mobile'

Michael Collins in his own one-act play 'Mobile' in the Town Hall Theatre. His thought-provoking performance was enjoyed immensely by the audience on Saturday night.

It opened a programme which included Kilcullen Drama Group's performance of 'Two for a Girl', the one-act play based on the interaction between a traveller woman and a settled family.

A full review will be posted later.

Table Quiz for Crumlin Hospital

A Table Quiz in aid of Crumlin Childrens Hospital will be held in Bardons on Wednesday 24 September.

The time is 8.30pm and a table of four costs €40.

Contact Eddie on 087 2228730.

FG candidate to launch new website

Kildare South's FG candidiate for the General Election, Cllr Martin Heydon, will officially launch his new website next Thursday evening.

The venue is Judge Roy Bean's in Newbridge, the time 9pm.

Simon Coveney TD will do the honours, and the 'interactive social evening' will also offer the chance to meet with the candidate, discuss issues, and talk with him about his and the Fine Gael party's vision for south Kildare.

"It also is an opportunity for people who never before were involved in a political campaign to do their bit to bring about real change for Ireland," Martin says. "Our theme is 'Don't get mad, get active!', and with a general election coming ever closer, we need to be prepared."

Solas Youth Cafe Coffee Morning

Among the young people hosting the Solas Coffee Morning today were Ita Lynch, Mary Kiely, Naomi Swayne, Aighley Jones and Katie O'Brien.

Kinneagh-Kilcullen is speed camera target

When the new speed camera systems roll out from next Monday, one of the local areas which will be targeted by the privately operated vans is the stretch from Kinneagh Cross to Kilcullen, writes Brian Byrne.

That's according to the Garda website which shows the various stretches of road around the country where the vans are to be deployed.

Both the Garda Traffic Division and the Road Safety Authoritiy have emphasised that the vans are to be used in areas known to be traffic safety black spots, particularly where there have been injuries and fatalities. They strenuously deny that the speed cameras will be used as a revenue-gathering exercise.

However, according to the RSA's own website, no collisions of any kind have been reported on the Kinneagh-Kilcullen stretch of road between 2006/2008 (the latest figures which they make available).

Am I missing something?

(Meanwhile, as a commentary on whether speed cameras actually have any effect on fatality figures, this story on Irish Car+Travel is worth looking at; go all the way through to the Australian link.)

Lighting on the way for Thompsons Cross?

Amid further reports of near misses at Thompsons Cross, behind the scenes efforts are continuing to make the crossing safe before an inevitable tragedy, writes Brian Byrne.

A price has been negotiated for the provision of public lighting at the crossing, at which numerous accidents have already happened since it was opened a year ago as part of the M9 roadworks. Fortunately without serious injury.

But there's as yet no decision on when lighting can be provided, as the matter involves both the National Roads Authority and Kildare County Council.

Meanwhile, the whole design of the crossing is still an open question as the traffic patterns at peak times become apparent. Morning backups from the old N9 are a feature from which motorists stacked up waiting for a chance to cross the Athy Road eventually take a chance in frustration.

The problem is exacerbated by difficult visibility in each direction on the Athy/Kilcullen Road for those at the stop sign. Trees will need to be taken out at the very least.

But it is still the Diary's contention that a proper roundabout is the only real answer.

Family profiles workshops

A series of workshops on how to make 'family profiles' is being planned for Wednesdays in Kilcullen Parish Centre.

The idea is, according to organiser Orla Murphy, that on the occasion of a family celebration, such as a birthday or anniversary, a 'This is Your Life' folder relating to the individual or family concerned, makes for a very nice memento of the occasion.

Orla's workshops will show how to use a simple A4 ring-folder to gather photos, newspaper clippings, and other paper-based memorabilia charting the life of the persons involved. If anyone wants to use a computer to help with the project, Orla will demonstrate how that can be done as well.

For further information, she can be contacted on 087 9439664. The workshops begin on 17 November.

New local newspaper goes on sale

In addition to the Kildare Nationalist, the Leinster Leader and The Bridge - and the Diary - there's a new source of local information on sale in the Kilcullen area.

It's The Borderline newspaper, a fortnightly tabloid which is designed to reflect the people and happenings in the West Wicklow/East Kildare region.

The first edition of The Borderline is now on sale, price €1, in Daybreak and Centra in Kilcullen, Narraghmore PO, and McCann's in Calverstown.

Were you in the last all-girls CPC Leaving?

The CPC Leaving Cert Class of 1990 was a particularly important one, because it was the last Leaving year that was all girls.

They are planning a reunion for 30 December, and it will be held in Kilcullen.

If you were part of that very exclusive group and want to be there, or send a message from wherever you are, contact the organisers: Denise (Kelly) O’Connell on 086 1046803; Fiona O’Brien Redmond on 087 2796431; Rosemary Heydon on 086-8050616.

Live by the Liffey: Kieran Goss

Kieran Goss has long been hailed as one of Ireland's leading songwriters and performers, writes Ray Kelly. Over the last 20 years he has quietly and consistently delivered songs of rare quality and his wonderful, deceptively simple melodies have won him fans across the globe. But while his albums have made him a star, his live shows have made him a legend; live on stage is where Kieran Goss truly shines.

This has been a busy year for Kieran Goss with tours in Germany, Switzerland, the USA, Canada and the UK. And because his increasing commitments abroad mean that he’s spending less and less time at home in Ireland, Kieran is particularly looking forward to his forthcoming ‘Live and Solo’ tour on home turf.

“This year has been really hectic, but I’m excited about the opportunities that are being offered to me, particularly in the States and Canada. It looks like we'll be spending a lot of time there next year as well, but you know, I’m always glad to get home again. I love touring in Ireland and it's been a long time since I've toured solo, so I'm planning on playing a few of the old songs that I don't get a chance to do with the trio when we're on tour abroad and also some new stuff I’ve been writing for the next album”.

Anyone who saw Kieran on his last sold out tour in Ireland two years ago will testify that his show is an evening of great songs sung from the heart and more. It's an unforgettable and uplifting night out. See Kieran play in an intimate setting, in Kilcullen, Live by the Liffey on Friday November 26. Tickets available from Ray Kelly 0872636375 or Bernard Berneys Chemist, Kilcullen - Adm €20.

Is é ár dteanga ár gcultúr

Kilcullen Community Action is organising a meeting of anyone interested in participating in a monthly Ciorcal Gaeilge in Kilcullen, writes Orla O'Neill.

Má tá suim agat sa Gaeilge, beidh fáilte romhat teacht chuig an céad cruinniú an tseachtain seo caite.

You don't have to be fluent in Irish or have a lot of Irish, the objective is to provide an opportunity for those with an interest to use their cúpla focail and improve through speaking with others.

The first meeting/an chéad chruinniú will take place at 9pm on Monday, 15th November in The Hideout.

Tuille eolais ó Orla Ní Néill 087 2569661 nó aon de'n ballra KCA

Art Group exhibition

A full house for the opening of the Kilcullen Art Group's 2010 exhibition.

GAA girls presented with their medals

Kilcullen GAA U/15 Girls who recently won their County Final were presented with their medals this evening in the Clubhouse.

The presentations were made by Peter Kelly, All Star and County player from Two Mile House GAA.

Table Quiz for Kenya

A Table Quiz in aid of David Conway's Ballyshannon Kenya Medical Project is being held in St Laurence's GAA tomorrow night, Saturday 6 September.

Table of four for €40. Starts at 8pm sharp. A good cause and a great night guaranteed.

Free computers tuition

Transition Year students in Cross & Passion College are offering free one-to-one tuition for over-55s in the use of computers.

The sessions will take place on Monday mornings 10.45am-11.54am in eight sessions starting next Monday, 8 November. There will also be Thursday afternoon sessions from 1.45pm-3.15pm.

The tuition is ideal for those unfamiliar with computers, who can learn to book holidays and airline flights online, surf the Internet, and send emails.

Places are limited. Call Marie or Glenda at 045 481524.

The national 'Log on, Learn' programme is supported by Intel, Microsoft and An Post.

Traveller drama in Kilcullen

Kilcullen Drama Group’s November productions will include travelling community actor Michael Collins in his own play, 'Mobile', from the Traveller Wagon Wheel Theatre Company. It will be staged on Saturday 13 November.

An accomplished stage actor with work in the Abbey and Olympia theatres to his credit, Michael also played Johnny Connors in RTE’s 'Glenroe' for over 10 years and his film work includes 'Trojan Eddie' and 'Man about Dog'.

'Mobile' looks at the dilemma of a traveller man who is matched off to fight another traveller to settle a family dispute. The fellow who he is to fight is not only his cousin but they are also married to two sisters. The play explores some of the issue of internal fighting within the Traveller community



Also, Kilcullen Drama Group will present Noni Stapleton and Mary Kelly's production of 'Two for a Girl', a play that tells the story of one Traveller woman's experience in her journey through life. It stars Marlena Voight, Fergal Sloan, Lettitia Hanratty, Esther Dooley, and Evelyn O'Sullivan and is Directed by Dick Dunphy (Fergal, Esther and Evelyn pictured above at rehearsal).



On Friday 12 November, Naas Gospel Choir (above), conducted by Rionagh McNamara, are special guest artists in Kilcullen Theatre.



December’s Variety Concert, opening on the evening of the 8th and running for four nights, will include guest artist performances from Kilcullen Parish Choir; Marlena Voight, Hannah Evans, and Anna O’Mahony. Plays will include 'Papa Panov’s Magic Christmas', Directed by Bernard Berney and Mischa Fekete. There will also be a play by Kilcullen Drama Group’s Youth Theatre (above) and directed by Eilis Phillips, 'Operation Christ Child'.

All proceeds in aid of KARE Association, Kilcullen.

Tickets €10 from Bernard Berney Chemist or phone 045 481497

Badminton team trials

The Kildare Badminton Association is holding its county Team Trials in Kilcullen Community Complex on Sunday next, 7 September.

All affiliated club members are invited to participate.

Age group times are as follows: U13-10.00-11.00; U15-11.00-12.00; U17-12.00-13.00.

From these Trials the KBA will select this season's teams to represent the county at the juvenile Inter-county Competitions.

Team Coaching will be held on November 14, 21; December 5, 19; January 2, 16.

Care givers required

A call for Care Givers has been made by Home Instead Senior Care Kildare, which is based in Kilcullen.

The company wants warm, compassionate people with a desire to help the elderly, providing companionship and homecare services to seniors.

Applicants must have their own transport and full, clean Driving Licence. Training will be provided, but personal care experience and ability in moving and handling patients is desirable. FETAC Level 5 is also desirable.

Flexible part-time hours are available.

Contact Home Instead Senior Care on Main Street, phone 045 484623 or email suzanne.rankin@hisc.ie