Dave getting ready for the big dive

Popular local businessman Dave Clancy is psyching himself up to jumping from an airplane next week, to help fundraise for a Kerry animal charity, AHAR Ireland (Animal Heaven Animal Rescue), writes Brian Byrne.

He'll be in very high-flying company, with the likes of Sharon Shannon, Frances Black, Maura Derrane, Honor Heffernan and a bunch of as yet un-named other men and women celebrities.

The jump is being held, weather permitting, on September 7. Participants have to raise a minimum of €480 each in sponsorship, half of which will to Skydive Ireland for their management of the dive (Skydive is giving a cut-price deal to the charity). So anything over and above will also to to AHAR.

"I'll be jumping from 10,000 feet and I haven't done anything like this before, so any tips are welcome," says Dave, who operates a florist and floral artistry business on Main Street. "I am trying not to think about it ... but big thanks for the support from everyone. I am asking you all to dig deep and donate, even if it is only a fiver."

RISE raffle winners

Thanks from RISEA sincere thank you to the people if Kilcullen for their warm welcome to Frances Black and the RISE team at Kilcullen River Fest, writes Philomena Breslin. Your generous support of the raffle on Sunday will help the RISE Foundation support families with loved ones in addiction.

The RISE family programme is starting in Portlaoise in September — enquiry form may be completed atwww.therisefoundation.ie

Prize winners in the RISE Draw at Kilcullen River Fest were: 1st Ciaran O'Farrell, 2nd Ethnie Dempsey, 3rd Mai Dunne, 4th Paddy Ward, 5th Michael O'Brien, 6th Emma Nolan, 7th Trish Talt, 8th Miriam McDonnell, 9th Terri O'Sullivan, 10th Yvette Poufong, 11th Frances Mooney, 12th Mary McCormack, and 13th Sophia Casserley.

Thanks for the 'Memories' Gathering

Memories of Main Street Families: A Gathering - Sunday 18th August 2013.

We would like to thank everyone who turned up to this special event and helped in any way. We have a great community in our town and, although a lot of our families are dispersed now, we discovered that it was just like yesterday since we last met. Whether you came from New Zealand, Bangkok, China, England, all over Ireland or from Kilcullen to join us on the day, we want you to know that you made the afternoon special by coming to the Town Hall and sharing your fond memories and precious photos with us.

We hope to produce a commemorative booklet to mark the occasion which, hopefully, will be available in time for Christmas so that our memories can be shared with the next generation.

Nessa Dunlea & Mary Orford.

Parish says 'thank you' to Fr Michael

"Get involved in your parish, keep involved, that's the only way the parish will be strong for the future," were Fr Michael Murphy's final words for his former parishioners at a farewell mass and community event in Kilcullen last night, writes Brian Byrne.

It was an emotional evening for all concerned as a large congregation turned out to wish their parish priest of nine years Godspeed in the next challenge of his life, a study sabbatical in a college in Lille, France.

Following the mass, which was concelebrated with Bishop Eamonn Walsh and Fr Martin Harte, a tree was planted in the church grounds to mark Fr Michael's period in Kilcullen. Bishop Eamonn noted that with Fr Michael, 'what you see is what you get, a man of deep faith who primed the pump with prayer, reflection and retreat'.

Afterwards, on behalf of the parishioners, Bernard Berney spoke of the impact of Fr Michael's mission here, especially with the young people, the sick and infirm, and the elderly. "It does seem unfortunate that now we have developed such a beautiful relationship in God with him, he is taken away from us," he said.

For his part, Fr Michael thanked everybody who had turned out, and the parishioners who had given him such support in his time with them. "Of course, there is a serious wrench in parting after nine years, and I will miss you," he said, "but that's part of the deal."

Presentations were made on behalf of the parishioners and the Pastoral Council, and the Boards of Management of the Primary Schools. Niamh Byrne from the Altar Servers spoke on their appreciation for the time Fr Michael had given them.

Music was provided by Joshua Petitfrere and Leah O'Sullivan.

(Pictures from the evening are available here.)

Ireland's Fiddlers Green for county gig

There's a Kilcullen connection to the first-ever concert of Ireland's Fiddlers Green in County Kildare soon, writes Brian Byrne.

That's because the group's lead singer is Danny Carthy, a nephew of Monica Martin from Moanbane. Anyone who went to the 'Maintain Hope' evenings in St Mary's Church in Castlemartin over the last couple of years will be familiar with his singing and guitar playing.

The group's gig in the Moat Theatre, Naas, will take place on September 14, and will coincide with the release of Ireland's Fiddler's Green's latest single, Slip Away.

The song was introduced to Danny by TV personality Derek Davis, and the recording was produced by Charlie McGettigan.

Another recording written and recorded by Danny Carthy, Stand, Look Around You, has all online sales donated to the Irish Wildlife Trust.

The Moat Theatre performance promises to be a great night. "Keeping Irish folk singing alive is most important for the future of Irish folk culture," Danny say, "and it’s the intention of Ireland’s Fiddlers Green to present the live performance as part of a renewal of old acquaintances from the folk pub days in the 1980s and 90s and also an induction for future acquaintances."

Rare and protected fish 'abundant' in Kilcullen

Crayfish a good signMost people in town might not know it, but Kilcullen has an abundance of a fish that is quite rare and is protected by national and EU legislation, writes Brian Byrne.

It's the crayfish, which resemble small brown lobsters and grow to about 10cm in length.

According to observations in the Biodiversity Survey directed by Dr Mary Tubridy during 2012, the crayfish are mainly active at night and in the summer months.

Eating snails, insect larva and sometimes their own young, in turn they provide a food source for other water life including salmon, trout, pike perch and birds like the heron.

The Survey, commissioned by Kilcullen Community Action, offers detailed information on the plant and other life in and around the River Liffey as it flows through Kilcullen.

As a report card on the environmental health of the Survey area, it gives high marks, although a number of elements need to be maintained or improved in order to ensure the continuing health of one of Ireland's most important ecological 'corridors'.

Dr Tubridy notes that it is 'rare' to have a clean river with abundant wild habitat flowing through a town in Ireland these days.

Text Alert warning about suspicious activity in Calverstown

The Kilcullen Community Text Alert System warned about more suspicious activity tonight, writes Brian Byrne.

This time it related to two men in a silver coloured car, spotted in Calverstown in the late afternoon.

There were two male occupants in the car.

With a number of recent incidents, including a break-in to a house in Killinane at the weekend, it's very important that members of the community be aware of what's happening around them.

If in doubt, call the Garda. Gut instinct is usually reliable.

Kilcullen Parish Lotto Draw

No Jackpot winnerThe winning numbers in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on Tuesday 27th August 2013 were 3, 18, 28 and 31. There was no Jackpot winner and next week's main prize will be €14,200.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws were Ber Clifford (Promotoer Vanessa Clarke), Martin Anderson (Leanne Clifford), and Gabrielle O’Brien (Kilcullen Credit Union).

The winners of the €50 Promoters Draws were Miriam McDonnell and Barney O’Sullivan. The winner of the Draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Ann Byrne.

Mini Beasts prowl the Liffey

Lots of life in riverShould you be worried that there are in the region of 60 species of 'Mini Beasts' roaming in and around the river areas of Kilcullen, writes Brian Byrne?

Not really, as that's the categorisation of a range of insects and other life detailed in the Biodiversity Survey directed by Dr Mary Tubridy and commissioned by Kilcullen Development Association.

They include stone flies, mayflies, beetles, snails, clams and worms. Kilcullen has 14 of the 31 Mayfly species that occur in Ireland, according to Noreen McLoughlin MSc, who carried out a Biological Survey as part of the overall work.

Biodiversity Survey of the Liffey and Environs in Kilcullen is a treasure trove of information on Kilcullen's flora and fauna, and indicates a very healthy situation for the local fish and bird life. The Survey was launched last weekend.

It's worth a read if only to provide an appreciation for the importance and fragility of our local environment and how much it is worth protecting.

The passing of Angela Handy (O'Connor)

The Diary records with sadness the death of Angela Handy, nee O'Connor, Portlaoise Road, Stradbally and formerly of Calverstown, Kilcullen.

Angela is reposing at her family home, with Rosary tonight at 9 o’clock.

Her removal will take place on Wednesday morning at 11.30, to arrive at the Church of the Sacred Heart, Stradbally, for 12 o’clock Requiem Mass. Burial will take place afterwards in Oakvale Cemetery, Stradbally.

To all her family and friends we extend our condolences. May she rest in peace.

Pictures from the River Festival 2013

River Festival 2013, a set on Flickr.

Suspicious activity in Kilgowan

Another warning tonight about suspicious activity by three men in an Audi car from the Kilcullen Community Text Alert, writes Brian Byrne.

This time it's three men in the car in the Ballymount/Kilgowan area. Between 7-8pm this evening.

A registration number 02 WW XXXXX has been reported. Contact local Garda if that's seen.

Fourth festival was another great day

Well, the weather teased for the morning, but then the rain decided to stay away and it was just a great 4th Kilcullen River Festival, writes Brian Byrne.

And the crowds came. All afternoon they walked down the town, a steady stream of families mainly, all intent on making the most of the last weekend of official summer.

Once again, the organisation mostly worked very well indeed. Any few hiccups were there just to make it a proper Irish occasion.



The bands played. Oh boy, did they play. There is some wonderful rock talent in Kilcullen. And a surprise for guitarist Ger Wall, who was awarded the first Kilcullen Festival Music Award, by the vote of all the music scene in Kilcullen.

Richly deserved too, Ger has not just given tremendous musical enjoyment to his band's own fans, but has also generously worked with upcoming young local guitarists for many years, giving them the benefit of his talent and experience.



The Barman's Race was once again won by Amber from McTernans, who wasn't first in the race, but was ahead of her competitor who had the same level of unspilt drink to enable her to win the tie that transpired.



The new Kildare Chowder Cook-off was won by Fallons, thanks to a popular vote from a stream of festival participants who toured the competitor tureens in the Heritage Centre. They now go on to the National Chowder competition in Kinsale.



There seemed to be some confusion about who won the raft race, but McTernans and O'Connells seemed to be in the frame somewhere. And the Tug O War, well, we left after The Spout beat Joeys and were waiting to face a very fresh O'Connells.



The real winners of the Festival were the people who came along, enjoying a great day, great food and drink, great entertainment on the environs of the Liffey as it runs through Kilcullen.

And not a bad incident to be seen. Says something important, again, that we can have a great day out in a very mixed environment in Kilcullen, and just enjoy it. Well done, the organisers, the restaurants who provided great food, the bands, the stallholders, the many hundreds of people who thronged the square and the bridge, the entertainers.

That's Kilcullen, really.

(We'll have all the pictures of the day in place by the morning.)

Warning — house robbers at work!

Baddies about!The Kilcullen Community Text Alert system has warned of robbers about, following a house burglary in Killinane this morning, writes Brian Byrne.

It happened around 11.15 when there was nobody in the house.

The robbers are described two men in hoodies, one with the number '3' on the sleeve and the other in a tartan design.

Keep eyes peeled, and contact Garda straight away if you see anyone with that description.

Kilcullen River Festival 2013

(12.14pm) Well, it's now under way, the 2013 Kilcullen River Festival, writes Brian Byrne The road is closed, the food is cooking, the music's tuning up for the afternoon.

You can keep an eye on the pictures through the day here, and we'll find a couple of other things to do as the fun goes on.

Farewell, Fr Murphy

After nine years as Kilcullen's parish priest, Fr Michael Murphy leaves us this week, writes Brian Byrne.

An unassuming, compassionate, committed and quietly very humorous man, he has touched many hearts and comforted many troubles in his time here. We will miss him very much.

Fr Murphy is taking a sabbatical to study in Lille in northern France before taking up his next appointment. A mass and farewell event is taking place on Thursday evening, with refreshments and a chance to say au revoir.

Fr Murphy loves travelling, so for those who travelled with him to the Holy Land in 2007, we are re-showing the pictures here, while this is your editor's account of that trip as the Accidental Pilgrim.

Farewell Fr Murphy, and thank you for your time, and your company, amongst us. Travel safe.