It Says in The Bridge: July 2014
Also celebrating on the front page are CPC Sixth Year students and their Year Head Ardine O'Neill planting a tree to mark their leaving of the school. Ardine herself is also retiring after 35 years in CPC.
Other news in the magazine includes details of the upcoming events organised by the Great War Commemoration Group, the next of which is this coming Thursday evening in the Library. There are a number of KCA items, including an appeal for funds for the Summer Flowers project which is already showing such beautiful colour in the town. Another worthwhile celebration ... and maybe a little donation in the boxes around the town. It's also time to think about community awards, and there's a request for nominations to be considered. Then there's a note about John Martin's story due for broadcast on Radio 1 this coming week, Wednesday at 11.02pm, a must-listen date for the community.
Jacinta Sully has been as busy as ever and she reports on matters of Brannockstown and beyond, including the successful Mid-Summer Barbecue held for Gormanstown Church funds, the upcoming Mac & Norman's Vintage Run, and a number of stories from Brannoxtown NS. Jacinta also writes an appreciation of the late Paddy Walsh, 'a local legend' and the story that has been the saddest she has written so far since she became a contributor to the Bridge.
Another prolific pen in the magazine is that of James Healy, who contributes a number of pieces and photographs, highlighting among other things the Kilcullen Prayer Group, the 'stir, sensation and controversy' of the debut of the Kilcullen Gospel Choir, and beekeeping by a number of people and groups in the Kilcullen area.
The regulars are busy too. Billy Redmond muses on the lack of interest in his campaign to put the ornamental pulpit back in the Parish Church. It's a 'valuable piece of our history in Kilcullen' which he believes should be preserved in a 'more dignified' location than where it is currently stored. As he says, it's up to the community now to follow up. Sean Landers writes from Taiwan on violence in the subway and poisonous problems in foods in Taipei, though it's still a city which he feels very safe in.
There's an Asian flavour also in a feature by Garreth Byrne from China, on marriage laws in that country. The piece includes a dissertation on the difficulties posed from the one-child programme, which has resulted in a distorted gender balance and connected problems such as bride-kidnapping and baby-selling.
Other features include the regular page on Animal Rescue from the KWWSPCA, Dr Padraic Dunne on Mindfullness, and a look at Castlemartin Estate under the ownership of Dr Tony O'Reilly. Photographic coverage of the Awards Day at CPC shows lots of happiness at achievement.
Lots of sport, too, from the Canoe Club, Badminton, and GAA, all good stuff which may reflect one item from the 'Under the Bridge' column. It notes the result of yet another international survey, which puts Ireland at the top. Thankfully, this time in a positive light ... at the head of the Good Country Index.
Read the Bridge for a full explanation ...
