Forms for joining the Kilcullen Garda District Text Alert scheme are available from The Grocery in Calverstown, Kilcullen Garda Station, Kilcullen Credit Union, and scheme committee members. Please encourage neighbours and friends to join.
A Pitch & Putt Scramble will be held on Sunday 16 September in aid of Barretstown.
Organised by customers and staff of Bardons, the event will be a 4pm shotgun start at St Bridget's Pitch & Putt Club.
The fee is €40 for a team of four, and bookings can be made by contacting Eddie Cross in Bardons.
Sinead Forde of Kilcullen has been awarded the 2012 Gold Medal from Temple Street Childrens Hospital, writes Brian Byrne.
The award is given to a graduate student at the hospital each year.
Daughter of Kieran and Joan Forde, Sinead has worked on contract at the hospital's Renal department since getting her Nursing degree.
She's pictured above with her dad during last Sunday's River Festival.
An 'Open Mic' for local writers of all kinds is happening in Kilcullen Community Library on Friday 21 September as part of Culture Night 2012.
Writers of all ages and genres—poets, rappers, short story writers, novelists, historians etc—are invited to participate.
Contact Julie at the Library for more information.
The organisers of Sunday's Cemetery Sunday are asking that those driving to the New Abbey part of the event should park in the special area which will be available at St Brigid's Cemetery and leave the scarce space at New Abbey for those with limited mobility.
"We have very little space at New Abbey," says John Brady, "and it would help enormously if as few as possible tried to park there."
Meanwhile, the Gormanstown part of the day is at 9.30am, while there will be prayers at New Abbey at 3pm and a Mass in St Brigid's at 4.15pm.
The ancient royal site of Dun Ailinne is one of three 'outstanding cultural heritage' locations noted in the Constraints Report published by EirGrid today, as part of its study for a proposed 400kV high voltage power line linking Munster and Leinster, writes Brian Byrne.
The Report outlines the results of the first phase of the Grid Link project, which involved public consultation in the study area comprising portions of the two provinces.
EirGrid yesterday launched the second stage of public consultation on the project. This will run for eight weeks until Monday 22 October 2012 and will focus on the Constraints Report.
The Report examines the various manmade and natural considerations within the study area to be considered before entering the next phase of the project. Consultation 2 will feed into the work of the project team in further developing constraints.
The proposed overhead line will terminate at Dunstown, near Carnalway.
Other nearby areas of archaeological importance identified in the Report include the prehistoric barrow complex on the plains of The Curragh; the area of the Curragh itself; Old Kilcullen; and Mullamast Hill where there is a concentration of barrows and enclosures. Ardskull Motte and Brewel Hill near Athy are also noted in the Report.
A local information meeting is planned for Kilcullen interested parties during September. The Constraints Report is available here.
"I couldn't put words on the contribution which Bridge Camphill has made to Kilcullen in the almost 21 years since they came here."
Perhaps not, writes Brian Byrne, but Noel Clare did manage to put on record a heartfelt gratitude of Kilcullen to the Camphill community for what he termed the many 'gifts' which they have provided to the town in those last two decades.
The occasion was the official opening of the Kilcullen Farm & Nature Trail on the community's grounds, below the bridge over the Liffey which was the reason for Kilcullenbridge being established around 600 years ago.
Noel said that the key element of Camphill's contribution has been the people they have brought into the town, both residents and co-workers. "I think they have really added enormously to the fabric of what Kilcullen is. And their latest gift to Kilcullen, what a gift that is ... with the new Trail we have even more access to the Liffey and its history and environment than we have ever had."
He added that being able to get so close to the river and to nature is not just an advantage for people's bodies in fresh air, but also 'good for our minds our spirits to be in contact with our environment'. "It is something which I hope we will all enjoy, and look after and respect over the coming years."
Earlier, Camphill's Mischa Fekete had publicly thanked the staff of Liberty Investments in Galway and Dublin who had given their time on a recent Difference Day team-building initiative to build much of the Trail. They are coming back in September to complete further elements of the initiative, including seating areas and a shelter on the riverbank.
The tape to mark the official opening was cut by Camphill's Siobhan Dunlea, following several musical renditions by the bell-ringers of Camphill.
The opening event included two guided tours of the Trail by Eleanor Sutherland, who wrote the information for a series of information signs which have been placed along the path and boardwalk. The signs were designed by Mischa.
The map at the start of the 750-metre Trail was designed by Geraldine Gahan.
Nicholastown Residents Committee is holding a one-off Residents Farmers Market in their estate on Sunday 16 September, writes Ray Kelly.
The event will allow shoppers to buy cakes, sweets, vegetables, fruit and other fare that the residents will have grown and cooked for the day.
It will begin at 12 noon. Put it in your diary now.
Meantime, the Committee organised a recent Kids on the Green Party for residents children, grand children, even great grand children, nieces and nephews.
Although rain started at five minutes before start time of 6pm, it was an enjoyable evening.
Local resident Reuben opened the evening with a show and the children were enthralled by the magic and fun produce by him.
Music for the evening was supplied by resident musician Trevor McEvoy, accompanied by Stephen O'Connor, whose granny was the first resident of the estate way back in 1939. The lads were ably assisted by Lee Murphy and 'Hook' Kelly... almost a Flock of Budgies with a bit of Blackwater, Black Budgies?
Then on to goodie bags and drinks for the kids and a run around in the wet but warm evening while the residents got a chance to get together and have a chat.
It goes against all Irish summer odds that a one-day festival can have fine weather for three years in a row, writes Brian Byrne. But that's just what happened yesterday for the third Kilcullen River Festival.
But then, the organisers deserve it, because once again they pulled out all the stops to give the thousands who attended the event an end-of-summer memory that will be the saving grace for a weatherwise less-than-memorable holiday season.
The Army was missing this year, which was a pity, but the food, craft and novelty stands offered more than enough attractions for the mainly family groups who turned out from all over the mid-county and beyond.
Reptiles, scorpions, clowns, magicians and a breath-taking juggler of sharp knives were just some of the other elements that kept people occupied between the river novelty events.
And the bands, mostly from the Kilcullen area, provided a musical background for the throngs that promised a long future of talent in the town, maybe even to national and international prominence someday.
A really pleasant interlude included the official opening of the Kilcullen Farm & Nature Trail in Bridge Camphill, with the ribbon cut by resident Siobhan Dunlea.
Hilarity was provided as usual by a range of other kinds of talent from the pubs. This year a Barperson Race was new, and it's safe to say that none of them ever had to carry a tray of pints across the river before!
The Raft Race was open to other organisations this year, so the Badminton Club and the Solas Youth Cafe entered. Maybe they hadn't seen in previous years just how Bardon's Bandits marauders treat the competition, and weren't prepared to be boarded and tipped over. But the pirates did it to everybody, even the guitarist on The Spout Party Boat saw no quarter and his chords later in the evening were probably somewhat soggy
The evening ended with the tug-o-war, won by O'Connells from the Spout even if commentator Fergal Sloan kept trying to extend the number of pulls in the competition to give his favourites The Spout an extra chance to improve their situation.
Well, it's all over now, and it was yet another very successful Kilcullen River Festival. If a picture says a thousand words, this set has volumes to say.
Well done to all concerned—Geri, Tara, Steve, Brian F et al. You played a blinder.
(Here's the direct link in case you're viewing on an iPhone.)
Fresh from his exploits at the 7th European Transplant & Dialysis Games in Croatia last week, Kilcullen man James Nolan took bronze in the 400m race at the British Transplant Games toay, writes Gwen O'Donoghue.
At the European Transplant & Dialysis Games, the multi-award winning butcher won a Gold for his Golf Net Score, a bronze medal in the 200m sprint as well as winning a Silver in the 4 x 100 meter relay race. Earlier this month James celebrated the 25th anniversary of his living kidney transplant from his sister.
Most of the Transplant Team Ireland returned home to Ireland this weekend after winning a total of 50 medals at the European Transplant & Dialysis Games.
.JPG)
Things are heating up down at the square with the River Festival staff all abuzz and early arrivers getting their stalls in place.
"In future I'm going to plan all important events in my life for the last day of August," Tara Gale quipped, looking at the amount of blue sky about. If the third River Festival is third time lucky with the weather, maybe she has a point.
More from the Day.
After a number of out of town exposures lately, Kilcullen Art Group is rebranding to Art Society Kilcullen (ASK). Check out their stand today, and maybe sign up for membership and discover talent you didn't know you had? They're a really encouraging bunch.
Have your picture taken with the Heineken Cup and signed Leinster Jersey to help Ollie's Little Heart Appeal (see link below) and donate what you can. And maybe sign up for the Sponsored Cycle for 13 October from Crumlin to Kilcullen 50k and 100k options.
Not to be missed is the Kilcullen Lions Club annual Duck Race at around 3.45pm. The last of the quackers will be on sale right up to about 3 o'clock, or when the final one is sold, whichever comes first. Lions funds are used in community projects all over Kilcullen, so please support the race.
Meet the turkeys at the official opening of the Kilcullen Farm & Nature Trail at Bridge Camphill at 2.30pm. Entrance just across from the Credit Union, where there'll be lots of home-cooked goodies and prizes to be won for Imelda May hairstyles!
Jane Russell sausages will be sizzling in the Taste of Kilcullen area, and Armelle's Kitchen is promising lots of crepes and macarons.
Make-A-Face has really superb artistry in face painting; Ollie's Little Heart Appeal is running a Cake Sale towards funds for a new Cardiac Unit in Crumlin Childrens Hospital; and there's an U/15s Karaoke Competition starting at 1pm, courtesy of Culchie Karaoke Brothers. More later.
More from the Day.
There will be a Table Quiz in aid of the Kildare & West Wicklow SPCA on Friday 31 August in Walls of Kilgowan.
The start time is 8pm and it costs €40 for a table of four.
More info from 087 2054955.
Dowling Property
Apartment to let 24 The Waterfront, Naas, Co Kildare: 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms. Rent: €730 per month. Located in this very poular complex comes this very spacious 2 bedroom apartment. This property is being offered fully furnished to a high spec and is now available for its new tenant. Features include gas heating, 2 double bedrooms, and private parking.
Kilcullen Lions Club is selling ducks this morning for tomorrow's fundraising Duck Race, incorporated into the River Festival. Don't be left behind at the start, buy now! Maybe the winner hasn't yet been sold?
There was lots of support on Thursday from the senior Kilcullen Drama Group for the Kilcullen Youth Theatre young people on the opening night of their presentation of two 1-act plays.
The final performance is tonight, don't miss it.
Nichola C. Kennedy FAOI Optometrist
Bright Eyes vision screening for all school and pre-school children now running at Nichola Kennedy FAOI Optometrist, Kilcullen.
Great selection of spectacle frames for babies, wobblers, toddlers, primary school kids, teens and tweens! Phone (045) 484 643.
When Kilcullen's third River Festival kicks off at 12 noon on Sunday, it will begin a string of attractions and events which will run all the way through to 7pm, writes Brian Byrne.
Around the Farmers Market and Crafts stalls will be a host of goodies for people of all ages, with a Childrens Magic Show every hour, all-day live music on the bandstand with headline act Flock of Budgies, an Animal Petting Farm, Kiddies Train and Bouncing Castle, Reptile Zoo and Face Painting.
Adults can sample the wide variety of local foods at the Taste of Kilcullen stalls, enjoy the Barmen Race and the water activities, including the Kilcullen Lions annual Duck Race, the Inter-Pub Raft Race, and a Tug of War across the river.
The Kilcullen Farm & Nature Trail at Bridge Camphill will also be officially opened, at 2.30pm. A display of vintage military vehicles will also be on view.
To facilitate the Festival, traffic through Kilcullen won't be allowed between 12 noon and 7pm. Diversions will be clearly signposted.
Even the weather forecast is promising, but everybody involved is keeping their fingers crossed ...
(This is what it was like last year, from the quiet of early morning setup to the end of festivities later in the afternoon.)
