Businessman shows artistic side

Brian Fallon with Sue Carey at the opening of his paintings exhibition in the GFG.

It's a side of local businessman Brian Fallon which most of his customers didn't know about, writes Brian Byrne. That besides running a successful pub and restaurant, he is an artist. And an accomplished one at that.

It all came out in public with the staging of his first ever exhibition, in Paul and Sue Carey's Good Food Gallery. The pieces are all watercolours, and show Brian to have both a really good eye for telling a story in composition and a great deftness of touch with the brushes.

The number of red dots on the opening night were testimony to appreciation of his work. And he recalls that in one case where he didn't sell his paintings, his artistic ability saved him money.

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Free eyes health consultation

Our local optometrist Nichola Kennedy is offering a free Sightrisk consultation until November 18 to check how lifestyle might cause vision problems in later years.

"Sightrisk is a tool which we use to calculate an individual's risk of developing AMD, age-related macular degeneration," says Nichola. "Factors that are taken into account include eye health, level of vision, diet and lifestyle."

The calculator then estimates the individual's level of risk of developing AMD (10 percent being the average risk factor, ie 10 in every 100 will have AMD by age 70).

Following the check, Nichola can give tailored advice specific to the individual on reducing that risk. Call 045-484643 for more information.


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Lions to bring back the 70s/80s

Time to dust off the platforms, iron the creases out of the bell-bottoms, and root out those Saturday Night Fever 3-piece suits.

And that's just for the men ...

Kilcullen Lions Club is organising a 70s/80s night in Fallons on Friday 18 November, starting at 9pm. Admission to the event, which could well be a great way to start the Christmas season celebrations, is €10.

Dress in suitable style is optional, but would certainly add to the atmosphere of the evening.

(And there's still time to have those said suits let out a little if that's necessary.)

The ladies, of course, won't need to do that? Jersey wrap dresses stretch, while the peasant look is quite figure-forgiving.

(Editor ducks and flees from flying handbags ...)

Again, 18 November. Fallons, 9pm. Help the Lions do their good work. No doubt Rod Stewart and Barry Manilow will entertain, remotely.



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New restaurant opens

A green shoot? The lights at Riverside have come on again, with the opening of Il Fico Italian restaurant and Piano Bar. The name is Italian for 'The Fig Tree', and the cuisine is Sicilian.


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'Mind the playground' call

An appeal for the community to 'keep an eye on' the Community Playground this bank holiday weekend has been made by playground committee members 

"We don't want it subjected to unwanted behavior," says Evelyn O'Sullivan on her Drama Dynamica Facebook page. "It is only the people of Kilcullen themselves that can protect our playground."

A number of incidents have been recorded since the playground was commissioned earlier this year.



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The gates, there they were, gone

When someone noticed that the gates of St Brigid's Cemetery were gone a couple of days ago, the word swept through Kilcullen that they had been stolen, possibly for meltdown.

But in fact they have been removed for cleaning and shotblasting, and will be re-installed soon.

Even as the Diary was at the scene to take a picture, people were coming to the cemetery having heard the rumour.


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Plea to vandals

The Naomh Bhride Community Playgroup has called on those who vandalised their premises last month to use their time to promote the quest for a new Community Childcare & Family Centre.

"Please find something better to do with your time," playgroup Leader Eilis Keogh appeals in the current issue of The Bridge, describing such 'wanton behaviour' as 'heartbreaking to experience'.

Describing the perpetrators as 'roaming the town' and causing damage to community property at all hours of the night, Eilis suggests that they 'do something productive'. "We are looking for volunteers to help with our campaign ... so rather than taking your boot to our doors, why not use your time to promote what we are trying to achieve for your community?"

The playgroup Leader also commended local people who helped repair the damage.


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Closing date nears for CU Art Competition

The closing date for this year's Credit Union Art Competition is next week, on 4 November.

Details of the competition—the name of which has been changed from the former 'Poster' competition—have been circulated in the local schools.

Another change this year is that the subject matter is no longer restricted to a Credit Union theme. This year the theme is 'Ireland through my Eyes'.

This time also, there is now no need to have a text on the piece relating to the theme, so it becomes a much wider artistic opportunity.

If any of the local schools youngsters haven't finished their entries, this bank holiday weekend is a good opportunity to do just that.


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Presidential candidate visits CPC

Presidential candidate Mary Davis visited CPC Kilcullen on Tuesday morning and spent some time talking to a group of pupils from 4th, 2nd and 1st years.


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Parenting course

An Effective Parenting course is being offered by Ballyshannon-based Siobhan Walsh, commencing Tuesday 8 November and running for six weeks. The time is 7.30-9.30pm.

An alternative series begins on Wednesday 9 November in mornings from 10am-12pm.

Siobhan is a Psychotherapist/Parent mentor who trained with Dr Tony Humphreys and her programme was devised by him. Numbers in each series are limited to 6-8 people.

The cost of the course is €90, and areas covered include Family Relationships, Effective Communications, Helping Children become Responsible, and Challenging Behaviours, Childrens & Adults!

Phone 087 921 4534 or siobhanwalsh59@hotmail.com.


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A story of true community

A superb example of cross-faith and community coming together has resulted in the pupils of a small national school being able to stay together during a year when their original school location will be an intensive building site, writes Brian Byrne.

This came about because Brannoxtown NS received a Department of Education devolved grant in November 2009 to replace the pre-fab buildings which had formed the main classrooms for decades. Planning permission came through at the beginning of this summer, for four brand new classrooms.

"But while the building work was going to be under way here, we were going to be homeless," says teacher Nora Halpin. "We had just over two months to find a new temporary location for the school."

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Kilcullen man wins Queensland title

A Kilcullen boxer has won his first professional title in Australia, writes Brian Byrne.

Dennis 'The Hurricane' Hogan became Queensland Super Middleweight Champion after knocking out Glen Fitzpatrick in the fourth round of a championship bout last week.

A carpenter by trade, he now lives in Brisbane after going to Australia to make a career in professional boxing. He has been undefeated since starting out.

Hogan is 26 and is being trained by Steve Deller, who encouraged the Kilcullen man to travel down under.

He was Irish Intermediate Champion in 2008/2009, and subsequently cemented a solid amateur career with a Multi Nations gold medal in Israel in 2010 and another International Tournament gold in the same year.

Hogan was a member of the Grange Con Boxing Club as an amateur, and now boxes with the Fortitude Boxing Club as a pro.

NOTE: The picture above is a file one, and not of the Queensland title bout, which can be seen here.


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What the Dickens?

So what would Dickens characters Tiny Tim and Oliver Twist be doing if they lived in the 21st century of cominatcha media and celebrity, writes Brian Byrne. In last week's presentations of Jonathan Dorf's Run Like the Dickens, a motley but very talented group of young Kilcullen people gave us a fairly good idea.

They would likely have become—something like Bill Cullen's street barrow start to millionaire success story—media-savvy and cut-throat business moguls. Or more likely the celebrity fodder operated by such 'corporates'. What would Dickens have made of it all?

He probably would have enjoyed it immensely. 'Run' was a non-stop stampede of satire, comic send-up and an underlying wry look at our modern 'values', grounded as they are in 15 minutes of carefully manipulated fame.

With no less than 44 characters played on stage, there was a serious degree of multiple-parts performance by the members of Kilcullen Youth Theatre, and the management of all those involved behind the simple black curtain 'set' was an extraordinary feat.

The entertainment level was very high, the smack-bang dialogue often achieving hilarity. The performances trumped the youth and relative inexperience of the players and suggest there's no danger of Kilcullen Drama Group turning into a rest home for its senior actors.

(Which seniors, by the way, will be doing their own next gig in late November, with Alan Aykbourn's 'If I Were You'.)

Meantime, congrats to all concerned—especially director and producer Eilis and Siobhan Phillips—for yesterday's culminating matinee of great fun in the Town Hall Theatre as winter outside keened and doused its way into the remainder of 2011. Thanks also to veteran RTE broadcaster Donncha O Dulaing for coming down to introduce the final performance—he was mightily impressed.

It is the nature of things that many, if not most of those same young people will be leaving Kilcullen to make their lives elsewhere. For some of those, their short experiences on the local theatre boards may well be the kickstart to them contributing to drama and the arts wherever they land, for years, decades, and even generations to come.

That's an awesome thought.


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Big guitar night in Ballymore upcoming

A brace of virtuoso guitarists are scheduled to thrill lovers of the instrument on next Tuesday's BAG gig in Mick Murphy's of Ballymore.

Brought to the venue by our own Roy Thompson, Welshman Gareth Pearson and American player Craig D'Andrea will pick their way through a couple of hours of great music.

Pearson (right) mixes fingerstyle and lead runs in what have been described as 'pyrotechnic' and 'explosive, developed as his own from formative influences who included Chet Atkins, Tommy Emmanuel and Merle Travis.

D'Andrea is only 24 and one of the younger faces you will find on the acoustic guitar scene, but this 2007 Canadian Fingerstyle Champion is making serious waves on the circuit, and anyone coming to hear him in Ballymore will be laying down a memory which they'll be able to refer to when he gets seriously famous.

Get on over there, dude.


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KCA Community & Tidy Town Awards 2011

In the KCA Community Awards 2011, presented last Friday to individuals and groups who have made a significant impact in the community, Eilis and Siobhan Phillips were given recognition for their work through Kilcullen Drama Group with the Teen Theatre group.

Kilcullen Community Playground Committee was given an award for not letting a 'massive uphill climb' stop them in their efforts to get a playground for Kilcullen's children.

Kilcullen Lions Club gained an award for having contributed in many ways to improvements both in Kilcullen and further afield since it was founded in 1995.

Olivia Byrne was presented with an award for her work with the Parish Youth Club.

The Juvenile Section of Kilcullen GAA in the persons of Jim Buckley, Liz Maloney, Jacinata Sully, Niall Howard, Joe Kennedy, Avril Dowling and their coaches received an award for building on the work of previous Juvenile members to ensure the future of Kilcullen GAA.

John O’Brien of Kilcullen GAA was presented with an award for his tireless work with the club.

Fr Paddy Ryan was presented with an award for his role as Chairman of Board of Management of Scoil Bhride in helping to secure a site for the Playground.

Josie Connolly was given an award for devoting so much of her time over at least three decades to the senior citizens of Kilcullen.

Frances Clare received an award for her work with the Family Mass Group.

The Dresser Store won the Best Business section of the Tidy Towns section of the Awards.

Highly commended in the category were Dave Clancy Florist, Vincents, Home Instead, and The Garden Shop.

The Hideout won the award for Most Improved Business, while Nolans Victuallers won the Best Window Display.

The Best Large Estate & Landscape Award went to Avondale Drive, while Sunbury won the Best Small Estate accolade.

Riverside Manor Apartments were highly commended.


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The passing of Brigid Dowling

The Diary has been informed of the death of Brigid Dowling, (née Bermingham) of Ballyshannon.

Her funeral will take place this (Sunday) morning from St Brigid's Church Suncroft, after 10.30am Mass, to Holy Cross Cemetery, Suncroft.

Donations, if desired, to the Friends of Naas General Hospital.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

Another CPC wall project under way

The completion of the CPC wall project has resulted in an extra bit of work on the old wall opposite the Garda Station being undertaken.

The stone wall had been clearly in poor condition, and CPC was considering its repair using stone left over from the other project and the cladding of the new Sacred Space.

But when the bushes and foliage were removed this week, the wall was found to be in such a dangerous condition that it will now be demolished and rebuilt completely.

"It is a project we considered a couple of years ago, but deferred," says the school's assistant principal, Noel Clare. "When we do the rebuild, it should look really well, because it will all be original stone."

Clearing the vegetation also revealed previous attempts to repair and raise the original wall, with very unsightly concrete.

At the moment, stonemason Matt Doran is working on the completion of the Sacred Space work, using some of the stone from the main wall project. There will be more than enough left over to provide a fine traditional wall on the section now being cleared.



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Spooky Halloween event for Toddlers

Kilcullen Community Carer & Toddler Group are hosting a Halloween Extravaganza on Wednesday 2 November, and all pre-school children and their carers are welcome to come along.

Costumes are a great idea, and spooky games and seasonal goodies are promised.

The Toddlers meet every Wednesday morning at Kilcullen Parish Centre, from 10.30.



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Philip Lynch new Chair of childcare centre project

Local resident and businessman Philip Lynch has agreed to become Chairman of Kilcullen Community Childcare & Education Ltd, the company behind the project to get a new childcare centre in the town.

Expressing the project's thanks to him for coming on board, KCCEC directors Orla O'Neill and Iseult O'Donoghue said that under his chairmanship it can be 'brought to a succerssful conclusion' in 2012.

Three previous directors, who developed the project over the last ten years, have stepped down. It is understood that additional directors will be appointed after a reorganisation currently in progress.

Further information will be posted on the website.


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'Dickens' on the boards

The Kilcullen Youth Theatre got their production of 'Run Like the Dickens' under way last night, and the Diary went down to get pictures of them getting ready for their performance.

The show will also be performed on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.



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Visit Brenda for Bone Marrow Trust

If any Kilcullen people who got to know Brenda Donoghue during her stint as Celebrity Bainisteoir would like to meet up with her again, this Saturday would be a good time.

She'll be stuck in the one place for more than 24 hours, trying to set a new world record for the longest time on a ferris wheel.

She'll be on the wheel at the o2 Point Village, and wants her friends from Kilcullen to drop in and do a spin with her during the event. Visiting hours are between 10am-7pm.

It's for a good cause too—Brenda is doing it to raise funds for the Bone Marrow Trust. She has to beat 24 hours and 10 minutes.

You can find out more, and say 'hi' if you can't make it in person, by logging on to facebook.com/bonemarrowtrust.



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Charity table quiz series

Bardons is beginning a series of eight weekly Monday Table Quizes, starting Monday 24 October, each in aid of different local and national charities.

The winning table each week will get an €80 voucher for Bardons, and each weekly winning table and the runner up table will go through to a final event at the end to share in €800.

The first quiz is for St John's Ward in Crumlin Hospital. Starting times are 9pm.


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Rehearsal for 'Run Like the Dickens'

Stephen Clare, Diarmuid Cummings and Lisa Kennedy in rehearsal for 'Run Like the Dickens', which starts performances on Thursday evening.



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Halloween Zumba

A Halloween Special Zumba fitness class will be held in Kilcullen Community Centre on Sunday October 30, between 1-3pm.

Organised by Zumba Naas, which operates two fitness classes a week in the Centre, the event is being organised as a family afternoon out, with a special display for the youngsters by the Zumbatomic Kids, as well as face painting.

Under 12s are free, entrance otherwise is €15 per head. There's a discount for those who drop in to the standard classes, where they can buy tickets for €12 for the Halloween event.

It's a costume event for those who want to dress up, either in their own costumes or wearing black and orange gear.

More details on Zumba Naas on Facebook, text or call 083 3487706, or email justyna.schueler@gmail.com.


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Kilcullen Youth Survey

Kilcullen Community Action (KCA) is looking for the views of young people aged between 12 and 18 years old who live in Kilcullen, writes Orla O'Neill.

It is part of a major survey being undertaken by KCA and funded by the Rural Development Programme.

The youth survey is online and the link is below. It can be accessed through the KCA website under the Youth Survey page or through the Kilcullen Community Action Facebook page. It only takes a few minutes to complete and will help to plan future services and activities which meet the needs and hopes of young people.

Youth Survey Link.


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Support the Rags on Sunday

Kilcullen will play Confey in the Intermediate football championship Semi Final, on Sunday at 4pm in St Conleths Park, Newbridge, writes Henry Barrett.

Please support the lads and try get back to the senior ranks. Come on the Rags!


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TDs Line out in Croke Park

Kildare Fine Gael TDs Martin Heydon and Anthony Lawlor made their debuts in Croke Park on Saturday last.  

They were part of an All Party Oireachtas team that took on a team of sports journalists in a charitable event to mark 125 years of CIE bringing players and supporters to Croke Park. All proceeds on the day went to Special Olympics and the Alzheimers Society of Ireland.
 
Despite the valiant efforts of the Kildare Fine Gael TDs, the sports journalists prevailed on a scoreline of 2-10 to 3-4.
 
Deputy Heydon said it was a 'great experience to play in Croke Park' with his colleagues from the Dail. "I enjoyed it, despite the result!"
 
The doughty pair are pictured above before the game.



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High fashion tonight

Don't forget tonight's Fashion Soiree in aid of Brannoxtown NS, a guaranteed great knees up with a 7pm wine reception.

The venue is Ardenode Hotel, with a fabulous door prize for Renvyle House Hotel. The €25 ticket includes a buffet meal, shops on the night, great prizes and some surprises.

The 'models' were busy in closed rehearsal until late last night, so it should be a flawless catwalk performance. Yeah!

But it will be fun, absolutely Yeah!



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Brian shows his art in GFG

Brian Fallon and Sue Carey at the opening of Brian's first art exhibition in The Good Food Gallery.


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Organ donor group 'Run for a Life'

Kilcullen kidney transplant athlete James Nolan will be one of four County Kildare-based members of the Irish Transplant & Dialysis Games team taking part in a fundraising run in Dublin on Sunday week.

The others are Sonia Treacy from Newbridge (pictured right with James), who is awaiting a kidney transplant, together with Elaine Maguire from Athy and Liza Nikkinnen from Naas.

The event in Park West coincides with European Day for Organ Donation and Transplantation, held in Geneva on the previous day, which aims to highlight the increasing need for organ transplants across all Europe.

‘Run for a Life’ is open to all member of the general public, who can walking, jog or run competitively on either a 3.4km, 6.7km or 10km course in Park West, Dublin 12, commencing 12 noon. There will also be an option to enter a team of three in a 3x3.3km Team Relay Race.

The main sponsor is pharmaceutical company Astellas Pharma Co. Registration (to include t-shirt and participant medal) will be €15 for adults and €10 per child and a family of two adults and up to four children can register for €35. Teams or the relay can register for €40. For registration and further details log on to www.runforalife.ie.

All proceeds will go to the Irish Kidney Association, the patients’ organisation charged with the promotion and distribution of the organ donor card in Ireland.

For organ donor cards Freetext DONOR to 50050 or LoCall 1890 543639. Smart phone users can download a donor e-card app from the App store or Android market place by searching for ‘ecard’.


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Date set for Miscellany Sunday

The annual Miscellany on Sunday hosted by the Bermingham family at Mooretown will take place this year on Sunday 27 November, writes Brian Byrne.

The event brings together local entertainers and visitors from all across the community and is organised by the Friends of Michael Garry House Hostel for Homeless People in Newbridge.

It has been held most years since 2000.

"The event is neither choreographed nor staged; it just happens," says Roy Thompson, one of the organising group. "It is more 'rambling house' than 'coffee morning' and is reminiscent of how people used to socialise—by gathering in the homes of friends and neighbours sharing stories, making music, dancing (mind the dresser!) and breaking bread together."

More details closer to the day.


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The passing of Peter Martin

The Diary has learned of the death of Peter Martin of Gilltown, at the Hermitage Clinic, Lucan, following a short illness.

Beloved husband of Anne and much loved father of Angela, Eleanor, Jane, John, Miranda, Sascha, Juliet and Rose, he will be sadly missed by all his family, grand-children, nieces, nephews and friends

The funeral mass will take place at the Church of The Sacred Heart and St Bridget on Friday 14 October at 2 pm.

Family flowers only, donations if desired may be made to the Irish Cancer Society.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Flower project gone into hibernation

The flowers are down, thanks to all who turned out on Saturday to help. These included (pictured) Joe O'Connor, Noel Clare and Jim Kiely; as well as Esther Reddy Dooley, Kieran Behan, JJ Warren, Kieran Forde, and Tony Gahan.

Great work done.


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Intermediate semi on Sunday

All roads lead to St Conleth's Park (the main county grounds) in Newbridge this Sunday, writes Aidan Gleeson for the eagerly awaited clash of Kilcullen and Confey in the Intermediate Championship Semi-Final. Throw-in is at 4pm. 

The Rags have been unbeaten throughout the championship, drawing with Raheens before victories over Sallins, Caragh and Nurney.   

They then faced championship favourites Johnstownbridge in the Quarter-Final where an injury time point from Paul Bell earned Kilcullen a deserved replay.  

The replay will live long in the memories of all who were there, as the Rags staged an incredible comeback, having been down by 11 points and winning the game by two. 

Kilcullen will again be underdogs in the semi-final against last year's beaten finalists Confey, but the Rags are confident of an upset, and hopefully a big crowd from Kilcullen will make the short trip to Newbridge on Sunday to roar on the lads in this huge game.    

Confey will be minus Kildare star Hugh Lynch through injury, Kilcullen will have to watch out for Kildare squad member James Gately at corner forward.   

The match will be preceded at 2pm by the Senior Division 3 final between Eadestown and Robertstown. 

Kilcullen's path to the semi-final:

Kilcullen 1-9 Raheens 0-12
Kilcullen 1-12 Sallins 1-11
Kilcullen 1-11 Caragh 0-9
Kilcullen 0-10 Nurney 1-6

Quarter-Final - Kilcullen 0-11 Johnstownbridge 2-5
Quarter-Final Replay - Kilcullen 1-13 Johnstownbridge 1-11



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The passing of Margaret Keogh

The Diary has learned of the death of Mrs Margaret 'Peggy' Keogh of Nicholastown, last Saturday at the age of 98.



Peggy was mother to Sean, Una and Olive, and as one of the founding members of the Gallowglass Ceili Band she laid down a musical track which has spanned three generations of her family in Kilcullen.

To her extended family we offer our heartfelt condolences.

Peggy will be reposing at Anderson and Leahy's Funeral Home, Newbridge, from 3pm Thursday and a Rosary will be said there on Thursday evening at 7.30.

Removal will take place on Friday morning at 10.15, arriving at Kilcullen Parish Church for Requiem Mass at 11am. Burial will take place afterwards in New Abbey Cemetery.

Family flowers only. Donations may be made to St Vincent's Hospital, Athy.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

Seniors step it out at The Hideout

A great night in The Hideout tonight for Kilcullen's senior citizens, who bopped all evening to the music of the Delton Ramblers, writes Brian Byrne.




It was all the real old time music, from Joe Dolan favourites through The Shadows to The Hucklebuck, a superb set of musical renditions. And the guitar work was seriously good, not to mention various contributions from several Kilcullen Seniors stalwarts. Food was provided by Clare and Eamonn.

And here's the thing, an old fashioned thing, that everybody stood to attention for the National Anthem. How long ago is it since you've seen that in a pub?



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