Happy Easter to all ... and especially Josie Connolly's Easter Party Crew!

As you munch your Easter egg this morning, take a moment to salute the members of the Kilcullen Seniors group who organise the annual Easter Party for the elderly residents in St Vincents, Athy, writes Brian Byrne.

Led by Josie Connolly, who unfortunately wasn't able to attend it herself on the day this year due to illness, they organised the entertainment, chocolate eggs for all, and generally helped to make it a really fun afternoon.

More in the Kildare Nationalist this coming week, and later a more extensive piece here, but for the moment, Happy Easter to Josie Ivory, Ann Moloney, Ann Fitzpatrick, Laura Bathe, Margaret Talbot, Margaret Smith, Kathleen King, Mary Orford, Anne Corrigan, and Morty Shea … and to Josie Connolly herself.

Community Text Alert Scheme update

A meeting on the proposed Community Text Alert Scheme will be held in McParlands of Calverstown for all rural areas in the Kilcullen area, on Tuesday 16 April at 8.30pm, writes Sabina Reddy, PRO of the scheme's Steering Group.

This meeting is to progress from meetings already held in the past month in around the Kilcullen area. The scheme is to work neighbours with neighbours to form a communication network in conjunction with the Gardai in helping to prevent local rural crime. A representative from Muntir Na Tire will be there to provide information.

Everyone is welcome and a large turnout would be appreciated to push the scheme further.

The steering committee is working on the rural areas first because essentially the scheme will be taken up more rurally first and then when that is up and going, Kilcullen Town will be worked on. It is hoped that with the rural area up and going it will create more of an interest then among the population in the town.

Once all areas are up and going they will then be naturally linked with one another.

Band in fundraiser for Hospice

The Wolfe Tone Brass & Reed Band would like to recognise the invaluable contribution of St Bridgid’s Hospice to the communities of Kildare and West Wicklow, writes Eimear Deegan, and is organising a musical gala to help raise much needed funds.

You recently enjoyed the WT Ballymore Eustace Brass & Reed Band at the inaugural Kilcullen St Patricks Day Parade. Here is a great opportunity to see them again and support a valued local cause.

The concert will take place on Saturday 13 April at 8pm in the Band Hall, Ballymore Eustace.

The BME Wolfe Tone Brass & Reed Band will headline the show. Jon Clifford, formally of the BBC Orchestra and Scottish Ballet, has been putting the Band through its paces with a programme featuring 1940s swing right through to recent chart hits. Under Jon’s direction the Band has made huge strides over the past two years and recently featured in The Tramway Theatre.

Thanks to The Naas Credit Union Cecil Doyle Bursary the Band will be performing a range of new pieces on the night including themes from musicals, big band numbers and film score excerpts.

The Wolfe Tone Band is thrilled to share a stage with our neighbours from West Wicklow. Kilbride and Lakeside Band, lead by renowned jazz trombonist Colm O’Hara, will open the show. The group features 20 young musicians playing various music styles.

The concert will see the debut of No Strings Attached. This five piece saxophone ensemble is sure to delight the audience with their intricate and up beat repertoire.

Tickets cost €5, they are available on the door, from The Village Store, Ballymore Eustace or phone Orlagh on 087 6441174. Sell out show expected. Buy early to avoid disappointment!

'Strictly' dancers shape up

A few photos from the launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing - Kilcullen Style' which will take place on Friday 3rd May in Toughers.

"The dancers all doing well," says Frances Clare of Kilcullen Lions. "They meet at DanceTones in Newbridge every Tuesday for their dance class and are now planning a few extra classes in the GAA Clubhouse."

The dancers are Aoife McGivern, Paul Barrett, Helena Connolly, Greg Devereaux, Tara Ashe, Mark Kinghan, Clare Kelly, Jonathan Conroy, Patricia Monaghan Richie Brophy, Margaret Talbot, Jim McCormack, Audrey Moore, Tom Crampton, Tanya McCormack Godfrey Hegarty, Kay Dooley, Teresa O’Brien Micky Clifford, Eleanor Higgins, Joe Dooley, Stephanie Barry, Derek O’Keefe, Ann Sully, and Jack Kelly.

(Photos: Niamh O'Connor.)

Community Alert liaison plan

The Steering Group set up in relation to a Community Alert scheme in the rural areas around Kilcullen is to be asked to liaise with town residents and associations interested in having the scheme also in the town, writes Brian Byrne.

This was decided at the recent Kilcullen Community Action meeting, following a discussion on the issue. Noel Clare said there had been a meeting with a Muintir na Tire representative shortly before the rural scheme meeting in Old Kilcullen.

The meeting heard that An Garda had strongly advised that there should only be one scheme in the area, not separate ones one for the rural and one for the town.

A number of recent incidents of both attempted and successful residential break-ins and thefts were noted at the meeting. They ranged from thefts of metal and oil outside the town, to a recent theft of numberplates from the car of a Brigid's Avenue resident.

A really petty one was the theft of the little wooden piggy bank at the till in An Tearmann, used to hold tips for the staff.

KCA Table Quiz will help fund flowers, lights

The annual KCA Table Quiz is being held on Monday 15 April, in Bardons from 8.30pm, writes Brian Byrne.

The usual terms and conditions—€40 for a table of four, lots of craic, and well-exercised little grey cells.

Funds collected will go towards the Summer flowers project, which, as KCA Treasurer Kieran Forde puts it, 'lights up the town' each mid-year.

The Street Collection on the Saturday before the Table Quiz, on 13 April, will also go towards the project and the Christmas Lights.

Parish Lotto Draw

The numbers drawn in the Parish Lotto tonight were 6, 16, 29, 30. There was no Jackpot winner, and next week's main prize will be €9,800.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws were Eugene Brennan (Promoter Ethna Dempsey), Hazel Spencer (Vivian Clarke), and Dermot Mitchell (The Parish).

The winners of the €50 Promoters Draw were The Parish and Miriam McDonnell. 

The winner of the Draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Fr Martin Harte.

Continuing generosity for Ollie appeal

The total raised since October for the Ollie's Little Heart Appeal in aid of Crumlin Childrens Hospital is now approaching €55,000, writes Brian Byrne.

A recent Cake Sale organised by the staff and students raised €1,200 for the fund, which was started by Noel and Katrina O'Connell in appreciation for the care given by the hospital to their baby son Ollie.

Ollie is back in the hospital at the moment, being prepared for his fifth open heart surgery since he was born a year ago.

The funds are being allocated to a multi-million-euros cardiac facility due to begin construction soon at the hospital, the money for which is being raised through donations from the public and other non-State sources. 

A further €350 was raised last Saturday night at Ray Kelly's 50th birthday party. Instead of getting presents, Ray suggested that guests donate to the Ollie fund.

"Thank you to all involved and to the community of Kilcullen for their continued support," says Noel O'Connell. "We're hoping that Crumlin will do its magic again next week."

Daffodil Day collected €3,500

Daffodil Day 2013 was different, writes Nuala Collins on behalf of the Irish Cancer Society. We had no control over the weather. But the wind and rain didn't prevent the faithful collectors and subscribers from donating €3,500.  

Ann Lambe-Brennan and her team collected €1,200 at the North end of Kilcullen. Down town we got €2,300. The conditions were so bad on Main St, the collection boxes filled with water and the wind blew our produce away. Some collectors persevered but in the end we had to give up.  

Thanks to all who cheerfully did their best.

Pitches litter pick next week

The litter collection planned for Tuesday of next week around the Community Centre pitches area will take place between 6-8pm, writes Brian Byrne.

Volunteers coming to participate in Tuesday's cleanup should bring their own work gloves, and if anyone can bring rakes and wheelbarrows it will be very hepful .

The recent KCA meeting heard that Kildare County Council had provided a number of picking instruments and black bags. Celia Travers noted that KCC would collect the sorted refuse subsequent to collection.

JJ Warren told the meeting that Avondale residents had committed to providing a crew of pickers on the evening, and it was hoped that other organisations on and around the Community Centre campus woud take part.

The GAA has already cleaned up a section within the area and has built a smart new fence along the path from the Main Road to the car park.

BAG and UC gigs

Two gigs this week, writes Roy Thompson of the Ballymore Acoustic Gigs.

Firstly, the usual Monday night gig in Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace. Tonight we have The Quicksand Band from Dublin with local singer/songwriter Ruairi O'Donnell. Doors 8.30pm, Gig 9pm, Entry €12.

And then, on Tuesday (tomorrow) night a new gig begins Upstairs at Cunninghams in Cunningham's Bar, Kildare Town. To launch the gig and the venue, the wonderful John Spillane plays. Doors 8pm. Gig 8.30pm sharp. €15 on the door.

Come on out, and support live music in your locality.

Fenton Blue to represent Kildare

Kilcullen band Fenton Blue will represent Kildare in the 2013 Irish Youth Music Awards being held in Liberty Hall, Dublin, on April 27, writes Conor McMahon.

The talented group—formed in 2009 by school pals Stephen Clare, Sean E Ryan, Peter O’Sullivan and Tiernan Cady—competed with five other bands in The Moat Theatre last weekend for a chance to represent their home county at the national finals in The Liberty Hall, Dublin

The young band will perform ‘Fade’, a song by another local act, Fool The Joker, which was adjudged the best song of the event.

Organiser of the regional competition Louise Campbell said they're very excited that Fenton Blue will be representing Kildare this year. "The standard was very high at the qualifying gig. Everyone is really looking forward to hearing the band’s version of Fool The Joker’s song.”

A team of other young musicians will now collaborate on a mini record company and will promote Fenton Blue in the hopes of building the band’s fan-base.

A total of 20 young bands, singer-songwriters and rappers will perform at the Liberty Hall gig, and around 800 music fans are expected to attend the event.

The competition is commissioned by Youth Work Ireland and is organised by Dermot Lambert of Garageland, an organisation that works with unsigned bands in Ireland.

Check out Fenton Blue’s Facebook page. "We need to get as many people as we can behind us on this and need all the support we can get," says Stephen Clare.

Oisin again on Irish Slalom Team

Kilcullen Canoe Club member Oisin O Fearghail has retained his place on the Irish Junior Slalom Team, after coming third in his weekend race at Leixlip.

The 16-year-old has only been slaloming for 18 months, and competed in the K1 Mens U/18 category at the World Slalom Championships held in Wisconsin, USA, last July.

Oisin goes to school at Gaelcholaiste Chill Dara in Naas.

Also at the weekend, his sister Ciara Ni Fearghail won first place in her Slalom.

Pilates classes in Community Centre

A series of Pilates classes is under way in the Community Centre, at an ideal time to work on getting a beach body for summer ...

Pilates is excellent for toning, keeping injury and stiffness free and will complement any fitness programme.

Classes are on Tuesdays, at 7pm for beginners and 8pm for intermediate/advanced. Other times are available. Contact Amy on 086 0707114.

No fixing Sunnyhill Road

It's not good news for the Sunnyhill Road residents who are concerned about the state of the road surface, writes Brian Byrne.

Kildare County Council says the road has not been included on the 2013-2016 Road Restoration Programme.

The news came at Friday's meeting of the Athy Area Committee, in response to a request from Cllr Ivan keatley that the road should be included in the works programme.

School opening 'a joy' to be at

Although it was an unseasonably cold and blustery day, a large crowd of guests waited patiently in the yard of the new school building in Brannoxtown NS, writes Brian Byrne, to hear pupils from First through Fourth Classes perform on their violins to mark the official opening of the new primary school.

They were showing prowess gained through a programme facilitated by the Herbert Lodge Music School, and demonstrating just one of the ways that school today is so different from when their parents and in some cases grandparents were getting their primary education.

Certainly, for two guests on the day, Brid Mackey and Sheila Peacocke, it must have been an extraordinary contrast. Brid was there because she's one of the oldest living former pupils of Brannoxtown NS, and Sheila confided that she had been a pupil there 70 years ago.



The official opening was performed by Kildare football manager Kieran McGeeney, introduced by Parents Association member Conor O'Toole as a 'living legend' whose record playing for his native Armagh and more recently Na Fianna in Dublin 'speaks for itself as one of the greatest GAA players of his generation'.

For his own part, Kieran noted that his own love of football began at primary school, and he hoped that some of the children who studied in this new school were getting an introduction to Gaelic games that would see them playing for their county in the future.



School principal Dolores Burke responded that 'the signs are there already', before inviting everybody in for the blessing and subsequent tour of the new school premises.



The blessing was carried out by Fr Michael Murphy and Pastor Robert Dunlop. Fr Murphy recalled that the original school had been set up by the local Baptist Community in 1855, before becoming a school of the Kilcullen Catholic parish in 1922. "Since then it has been fulfilling its role in a very admirable way," he added, and reminded people that all through the years the Baptist congregation of the area had remained 'very good friends' to the school. "That was demonstrated once again during the construction of this building, when they provided space for a temporary school in the grounds of their own church," he reminded all.



Pastor Dunlop said it was a joy to be present in a school that has played such an important part in the village and in the wider community through many years. "This is a facility which will add enormously to the wellbeing of Brannockstown and the surrounding community," he said, then thanked those who had put their energies into planning and building 'an excellent facility'. "May this continue to be a place of learning and discovery, and where a foundation is made for the future."

Fr Murphy dedicated the building to the education of children and to the progress of knowledge, and hoped that it would become a place where students and teachers would 'search for the wisdom that guides the Christian life'.



John Kennedy of the Parents Association thanked all those involved in the provision, design and construction of the building, and his fellow members of the Association for their ongoing efforts in support of the school. He made a presentation to former Principal Esther Reddy and current Principal Dolores Burke in appreciation of their work over the last number of years. Presentations were also made to Brid Mackey, who planted a tree in the school yard to mark the occasion, and to Kieran McGeeney and Fr Murphy.

Dolores Burke expressed her own thanks to everybody who had been involved in the organisation of the day, especially the wonderful children for being so polite, attentive, friendly and helpful. She particularly thanked all those who had contributed memorabilia for a display in the school, including news clippings and photographs.



Balloons were released by representatives from each class, and then the school was open to view by all guests. In each classroom, pupils demonstrated aspects of the work they were doing, including science, health and environmental projects, and use of computers in a variety of tasks.

In a time when it's tough for the country and so many living in it, yesterday's opening was truly one of those hard-to-find 'green shoots' that show real promise for the community's future.

(All the Kilcullen Diary pictures of the day can be viewed here.)

Road race champions

Milemill's Albert Keenan retained his 2012 Kildare Masters road race championship title on bank holiday Monday last in Naas over 6k. He won his category well and will go on to have a crack at the Leinster title on May 6 in Gowran, Kilkenny.

It has been a great start to 2013 for Albert as he also picked up his category winners prize despite some tough competition in the Carlow Fit for Life 10k in February.

Albert's son David, also a member of Newbridge AC, won the overall race in Naas, becoming the newly crowned County Champion. David also goes on to Leinster where Newbridge AC have very high hopes for him on the back of his recent great form and results.

A great start to 2013 on the Athletics front for Kilcullen's Kildare County Champions Albert and David Keenan. Well done.

Albert is pictured above with daughter-in-law Eva following the Carlow 10k win, and (right) David Keenan recently pictured racing alongside Olympian Maria McCambridge. (Pics courtesy Davis Keenan.)

Equinox sun peeks through monument

The weather has been against the Spring Equinox these last few days, but this morning for just a little while (and a tad late for the best effect), the clouds did let the sun through to do its thing at our Dun Ailinne monument, writes Brian Byrne.

Not as spectacular as some photos from a few years ago, but it was still worth getting up to. We'll try again tomorrow ... if it's a clear morning, you should come along, about 6.30am.

Official opening of new school building

There was a big turnout for today's very happy occasion of the official opening of the new Brannoxtown NS building. We'll have a full report later, but our pictures from the occasion give a sense of what went on.

Time to get booking for 'Lovers'

Just a reminder that it's a good time to get booking for 'Lovers', the Brian Friel play that's the spring presentation from Kilcullen Drama Group, writes Brian Byrne.

After the Gala opening night on Friday 5 April, the play will continue on Saturday 6, and from Wednesday 10-Saturday 13 April. Tickets available at Bernard Berney Chemist 045 481497.

Pictured rehearsing are Maurice O'Mahony, Nessa Dunlea and Siobhan Murphy.

Daffodil Day today

It looks like it's our first wet Daffodil Day in 26 years, writes Nuala Collins. Let the bad weather not be an excuse. Give generously, as you have done in the past, of your time and money.

We all know a loved one affected by cancer. Money collected locally goes to the local St Brigid's Hospice on the Curragh.

Our mission is to ensure fewer people get cancer and that those who do have cancer have better out comes.

GAA Ladies Table Quiz

A table quiz will take place on Monday 25 March in Bardons at 9pm to raise funds for the Ladies section of Kilcullen GAA, writes Aidan Gleeson.

Tables are €40 for a table of 4. There will be a number of excellent prizes for the quiz, and also some great raffle prizes on the night!

So get down to Bardons on Monday night to help raise funds for the Ragettes!

Maurice O'Mahony's retirement

As many of you will know, Maurice O'Mahony recently retired as Principal after a career of 40 years in Scoil Bhride.

Albeit a little late due to your Editor's heavy schedule recently, here are Pat Foley of the Bridge's pictures from the retirement party. We wish Maurice well ... and he now has more time to rehearse!

Oisin competes in Slalom Open at weekend

Kilcullen Canoe Club member Oisin Farrell will be competing in the Irish Open of the Irish Canoe Slalom Senior and Junior Team selection races at Sluice in Lucan, to maintain his place on the Irish National team, writes Ciarán Farrell of the National Canoe Slalom Committee.

Racing will also feature three time Olympian Eoin Rheinisch from Leixlip, London 2012 finalist Hannah Craig and top ten World Cup Series finisher Ciarán Heurteau as well as talented U18 Liam Jegou who finished fourth at the Junior World Championships in the summer of 2012 in the USA.

We will also have the cream of Junior and U23 squad members vying for their place on the National Team for the upcoming season. They will hope to qualify to compete at the World Championships in Liptovsky, Slovakia and the European Championships in Bourg St Maurice, France during July and August.

Canoe Slalom is a fast and exciting sport and it's rare to get an opportunity to see our best Seniors and Juniors competing at home. Most high quality Canoe Slalom races take place outside of Ireland as there aren't suitable permanent facilities here. Nevertheless we expect to witness some high quality racing this weekend.

The schedule includes the Irish Open on Sunday afternoon which will see many canoeists taking on the same course as our internationals.

Nicholastown going wild

Residents around Nicholastown Green are planning a 'wild area' which will help protect the biodiversity of the flora and fauna of the Green's environs.

Ray Kelly told the most recent meeting of KCA that the residents have been in touch with Kildare County Council on the matter, and that details of the plan will also be included in the Kilcullen Tidy Towns Application for 2013.

The meeting also heard that the Report on the Biodiversity Study will be released when a suitable date can be found in the near future.



Meanwhile, here's a picture from Ray of the kind of wild life already in the area ... a big spider, with a clothespeg for comparison.

The passing of Mark Tyrrell

The Diary has learned of the death of Mark Tyrrell, Nicholastown.

His funeral mass is being celebrated at the Church of the Sacred Heart & St Brigid this morning at 11am, and will be followed by burial afterwards in St Brigid's Cemetery.

To his family we extend our heartfelt condolences. May he rest in peace.

CPC's Bohemian Rock just ... rocks!

There's no point in my saying you have to see 'Bohemian Rock', this year's musical from CPC's TY students, writes Brian Byrne. Because it's already sold out.

Last night I saw just the first half hour, and it was already a fabulous production. If you have tickets for the remaining two performances, you're in for a real treat.

The show is set in a future where all music is computer generated, and owned by a global software company. There is, of course, an underground of real musicians, 'who want to break free'. I guess they will ... but it'll take a couple of hours of singing, music and dancing to a standard that any professional company would be proud to achieve.

With a cast of 60, some 30 more of a production, lighting, makeup and stage management team, and input from the Art and Woodworking classes, it was an all inclusive effort from the Transition Years.

The Director is Susan Fox, Musical Directors Phionagh Gibson and Angie Lawrence, and just too many others to name.

There was the usual Patrons Reception before the curtain went up on the first night. Here are a few pics from that.

Parish Lotto Draw

The numbers drawn in tonight's Parish Lotto Draw were 6, 10, 11, 20. There was no Jackpot winner and next week's main prize will be €9,600.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws were Ciara O'Connor (Promoter Adrienne Byrne), Mary Stafford (The Parish), and Maura Keogh (The Parish).

The Promoters Prizes were won by Miriam McDonnell and Vivienne Byrne. The Draw for those attending was won by Lily Daly.