Getting spooked up in Bardons

Just a taster of what the rest of the night will be like in Bardons. Have a great spooky evening, guys.

Sinn Fein fundraiser cancelled

The 'Superheroes' fancy dress party planned as a Sinn Fein fundraiser in O'Connells tonight has been cancelled, writes Brian Byrne.

The event had been booked as a private function, but has been canceled by Cllr Sorcha O'Neill.

Fallon's stay in Michelin Guide

Fallons of Kilcullen are one of just two pubs in Kildare to be featured in the 2015 Michelin Eating Out Guide, writes Brian Byrne.

The other is the Ballymore Inn. Both pubs retained their status from last year's Guide, as did all 27 pubs listed from the Republic.

Counties Cork and Down have the most listings with six, each followed by four in Clare and Mayo with three.

Did you miss Kilcullen Gospel Choir on KFM?

The recent interview with Kilcullen Gospel Choir on KFM's 'Kildare Focus' programme was broadcast yesterday, writes Brian Byrne.

For those who missed it, you can listen to the podcast of the piece here.

There are videos of them singing in studio on the radio station's Facebook page, here and here. Enjoy.

GAA Fun Night upcoming

Our Family Fun Night will take place in Newbridge Dog Track on Friday 14 November with the first race at 8pm, writes Jim Buckley chairman of Kilcullen GAA.

Our club is growing very quickly as our Juvenile section grows. Our membership has doubled in the past three years and space is now at a premium in our club. We are also introducing hurling next spring and this will increase our number of teams and increase the pressure on space.

Our first task in our development plan is to improve our current playing facilities. Our pitch development program will start with the upgrading of our pitch beside the convent. This involves intensive drainage works plus training lights on the field. We hope to have these works completed in the next six months.

Later in 2015 we will erect floodlights on our main field to lengthen the playing season at both ends of the year when a lot of important competitions take place.

Your continued support is vital to the health, well being and the future of our club. Come along and bring the family. We have two special novelty races for kids and adults after races 3 and 7 which are proving to be a great attraction. We are still looking for entries so if you are fleet of foot give us a call. We also have a raffle on the night.

For those who don’t want to miss the big Ireland v Scotland game it will be covered on the TV screens at the track. I hope you enjoy yourself and that you have a great evening. Tickets are only 10 euro per adult. Children are free.

Table Quiz for badminton

A fundraising Table Quiz for Juvenile Badminton in Kildare will be held on Friday 7 November in Naas GAA, writes Ronan Murphy.

The event starts at 8pm, with the usual fee of €40 for a table of four. Vivian Clarke will ask the questions.

All are welcome and there will be spot prizes and a raffle. Further information from Nora at 087 9901465.

Letter boxes damaged

The Kilcullen Community Text Alert Scheme reports that letter boxes were damaged and stolen in the Castlefish area last night, writes Brian Byrne.

Anyone with information about suspicious activity is asked to contact An Garda, at Kilcullen Garda Station.

The Text Alert Scheme is operated in conjunction with An Garda.

Albert just keeps on winning

Kilcullen man Albert Keenan carried his recent Kildare County cross country victory to the Leinster and National stages over the past few weekends.

In very testing conditions last Sunday in Avondale, Co Wicklow, Albert took the runner up spot in the Leinster masters cross country finals to claim another Leinster silver medal. Just two weeks prior, Albert ran a fantastic race in the Autumn Open Cross Country in Dublin's Phoenix park just getting pipped to 5th overall in his age category. As a result Albert is now first reserve for the Irish team who compete in the UK in an international competition in November.

Fingers crossed he gets his chance to wear the Irish singlet in the Irish masters team as his recent form and superb efforts certainly warrant a call up to represent his country. Best of luck Albert.

The Gaza rebuild: a corruption of war

(This is another article based on an in-depth interview with Col Des Travers when he came back from testifying recently to the Russell Tribunal on Palestine.)

The recent confirmation of aid to rebuild Gaza City after the destruction wrought by Israeli Defence Forces during the summer 'Operation Protective Edge' campaign may do Israel more good than it does Gaza itself, according to Kilcullen-based Col Des Travers (Retd), writes Brian Byrne.

In the immediate aftermath of the summer's war, some $7bn was pledged by the international community to repair the damage in Gaza, which Des Travers has previously compared to that done to Guernica in the Spanish Civil War and to Dresden in WW2. At a recent donors conference in Cairo, that figure washed out to $5.4bn, half of which would be used to repair the physical damage done to the Gaza community. At the conference, Ireland pledged an additional €2.5m to the €500,000 promised in July to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency’s (UNRWA) emergency appeal.

But Col Travers — a former Irish Army officer who has served in a number of Irish peacekeeping operations in the Middle East and the Balkans, and who is also an acknowledged international expert on investigating war crimes — says the factual siege situation between Israel and Gaza means that any rebuilding work will inevitably be to the advantage of Israeli business.

"​In the past, such monies were lodged in Israeli banks to be disbursed as they saw fit — the building materials will come from Israel, and if anyone attempts to bring in materials from anywhere else, they will remain warehoused in Israel forever," he says, adding that this will mean the $1.7bn which the IDF claim to have expended on the summer campaign of bombing Gaza 'will be redeemed many times over'. "It will go into the coffers of the Israeli military system. Cronies will get preferential contracts."

While acknowledging that the government of Gaza itself, involving the Hamas organisation, has 'endemic' corruption, Des Travers says a previous war between Israel and Gaza showed 'serious corruption' on the Israeli side, in the demolition of certain targets 'purely for commercial reasons'. "They interfered with the importation of product from Israel to Gaza. I worked on this investigation along with human rights activists in Israel, and our findings are valid."

In that particular conflict, in 2009, Gaza's only flour mill was bombed and destroyed. Col Travers notes that in Israel, the 'closed' flour milling​ industry is controlled by a small number of families, and that these days flour is imported into Gaza at a 14 percent premium over its price in Israel. "The Israelis claimed they hadn't bombed it, but one of the bombs didn't go off and a journalist representing a major​ English language​ newspaper took a photograph of it and sent it to me for identification. He said his paper was going to publish it, ​but​ it never appeared. The journalist left Jerusalem, and has been working as a researcher in a university ever since."

A recent special session of the Russell Tribunal on Palestine to which Col Travers provided key testimony about the weaponry and munitions used in the summer conflict, concluded that there were 'genocidal aspects' to how Israel is dealing with Gaza. But he also has a view that such short 'wars' are being used to test weapons systems, and have been in the past.

"In Israel the military industry is huge. One household in every ten derives an income from it, and the sector has something like 8,000 salesmen abroad. They market and field test weapons for the Americans, who can't do it themselves for legal and human rights reasons." He cites an attack on a crowded​ Al Fakhoura Street on a market day, in ​January, 2009. "I investigated it very carefully. Three 120mm mortar bombs landed one after the other, killing 31 and shredding and removing limbs and seriously injuring a further 34. That was inspired by a test ​firing of a new ​gun, ​or ​to ​demonstrate its efficiency."

It was an incident which was also investigated meticulously and carefully by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, which included interviews with Israeli officers. "Reading their article, I said to myself that they will eventually arrive where I had ... but they stopped short by a paragraph of saying it was a test of a mortar. I think the newspaper, which has often been called a traitor publication in a very militaristic society, survives because there is some line in the sand beyond which they don't transgress."

After the 2009 incursion into Gaza, when Des Travers was part of an international investigation into what had happened there, he suspected there were some long-term objectives. "I spent four years afterwards researching, and following my visit to Gaza in 2013 I could see what consequences had emerged. Depletion of water. Desertification and drying out of soil. Opening and closing of intervals in which fishermen were allowed to go out. All of this was consistent with exploration for gas in the area. In other words, the campaign had been entirely predatory, a self-serving and corrupt activity masquerading as a conflict against Hamas."

Col Des Travers is not someone who jumps quickly to any conclusions. His training and personality means he tends to consider carefully all aspects of any situation with which he becomes involved. He is very familiar with the Middle East since he first visited the area in 1964 while on furlough from peacekeeping duties in Cyprus. He visited Gaza for the first time in 1980, and has been there a number of times since, watching it grow from a fishing village to what he considers to be one of the most developed communities in that part of the world.

A very experienced military man, who has been under artillery fire himself, he doesn't scare easily. But his views on Israel's military policy towards Gaza have made it more difficult for him to travel to the area. And while he was recently assured by a key security company that 'they' are not going to 'come after him' because they are '​concerned about a reaction from the Irish American community', he is very aware of 'vile stuff' that is written about him in the blogosphere. And he acknowledges that it does have an effect.

"When you are a soldier, in Cyprus, the Lebanon and the Balkans, you know that there are bad guys over the hill who will try to kill you," he muses. "You can live with that, because it is a very identifiable threat. But when there's a threat that you think would upset your children, your grandchildren, that does affect the way you behave." Based on those thoughts, this year he told a human rights scholar at Harvard, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, that he was 'walking away' from it all. She asked him not to. "Then Protective Edge starts, all hell breaks loose, and you cannot walk away from that."

Because he still believes in a bottom line, one outlined famously by Nelson Mandela. "He said, unless the Palestinians get human rights, then there are no human rights. And that impacts on all of us."

PREVIOUSLY:  Kilcullen soldier questions Israel's Gaza strategy

KBC riding high in SW League

Kilcullen Badminton Club played three SW League matches this week and first out on Thursday 23 October was the Grade 4 Mens squad, writes Enda O'Neill, PRO of Kilcullen Badminton Club.

The venue: The Complex, the opposition St Laurence's. This top of the table clash was a one-sided affair with Enda, Vincent, Sean and Fintan taking the match 4-0. Mens 4 sit on top of the table with an impressive nine points from a possible 12, followed by St Laurence's and Killoughy on six points and Kildare towns CMWS at the foot of the table on three points. Mens Grade 4 play Killoughy in their next fixture at home and a win would nearly guarantee the lads a spot in the semi finals.

Ladies 1 were also out on Thursday night in an away clash against Portarlington. Norrie and the girls were still waiting on their first points of the season and duly got a well deserved two points after a tough draw. Well done to the girls and best of luck in your next game.

Oliviers Mens Grade 6 visited table toppers Baltinglass on Monday 27 October and earned a good away draw. The lads were 2-1 up going into the last game but unfortunately Olivier and Ben lost their game in a heartbreaking 26-24 and 21-19 two-setter. Still, an away draw is a great result for the lads who are now second in their table and only one point off Baltinglass who are on seven points. Well done to Olivier and the lads.

Finally, good luck to Helen and her team who play Ryston of Newbridge on Tuesday 28 October, and also congratulations to Helen and her partner Jen Monaghan who won the Division 6 Midlands Tournament last weekend.

Jen has also opened a brilliant shop just beside Centra at the top of the town at Unit 13, Hillcrest, it's called J& A Shabby Chic and I would recommend you go and visit as she has some beautifully crafted items. The shop is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am-5pm and you can contact Jen on 088 3702554/0872628305. Also check them on on Facebook just type in Shabby Chic Junkie.

Kilcullen Parish Lotto

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on Tuesday 28 October 2014 were 1, 6, 18 and 21. There was no Jackpot winner and next week's main prize will be €6,000.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws were Frances Finnegan (Promoter Vivienne Clifford), Breda Forde (Kay Dixon), Kathy Mahon (Vivienne Clifford).

The winners of the Promoters Draws were Kilcullen Credit Union and Berneys Chemist and the winner of the Draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Vivienne Clifford.

Did you miss Bernard on KFM?

"I love comedy, I love when we're laughing together."

That was one of the key lines in a recent broadcast on KFM Radio when Bernard Berney talked with the station's Ciara Plunkett about Kilcullen Drama Group and its latest productions, writes Brian Byrne.

In typical Bernard style, the interview on Kildare Focus rambled away from and back to (loosely) the keyline subject, but overall was absolutely as entertaining as were the three comedy one-acters which were the excuse to put our retired chemist on air.

He also revealed that he and the ensemble of James Healy's play 'Poets in Paradise' are negotiating with the station's Brenda Drumm to do a radio version, perhaps in November.

The podcast of the often hilarious interview is here, in case you missed it on the day. Now you have no excuse ...

Carols event building

Preparations for the Parish Christmas Carols event on 21 December are going very well, according to Philomena Breslin, who is organising it.

The Parish Choir and the Choir of Gormanstown Church will perform together, and there will also be presentations by pupils from Scoil Bhride and students from CPC, as well as the Bell Ringers from the Bridge Camphill Community.

John Martin will act as compere to keep the whole evening running smoothly, and will also be organising seasonal readings. A biblical scene will be acted by Bernard Berney and friends.

More details when we get closer to the event.

Halloween 'Fright Night' cinema on Thursday

A reminder of the coming Thursday's 'Fright Night' cinematic experience devised by Kilcullen AFC to kick off Halloween in proper style.

Kicking off in the Town Hall at 5.45pm on 30 October with an early show for children aged 9-12, there'll be 'blood n guts' bags for all the youngsters, with an admission fee of €5. The audience will get to choose from three films on the night.

For the adults, 8.15pm will have a screening of 'The Shining' and they'll get a refreshing glass of blood, er, wine, to keep their courage up. Entry for the over 18s will be €10.

At both sessions, fancy dress will be optional and there will be prizes for the best outfits.

Booking from Kafcoffside@gmail.com or 087 2636375.

Felt workshops this week

A Children's Felt workshop will be held in The Cottonwood Tree tomorrow, Wednesday 29 October, writes Brian Byrne.

The session will concentrate on how to make spooky felt decorations for Halloween. It's from 10.30am-12.30am and costs €15, including materials.

And next Saturday, November 1, there are Felt Workshops for adults, showing how to make cosy felt hand-warmers, and felt flowers. The hand-warmer session is from 10.30am-1pm while the flowers one is from 2pm-4pm, and they cost €28 and €20 respectively.

More information available from Kathrina at 087 7473233 or Rose at 045 484482.

Film Club mooted

A suggestion for the formation of a Film Club has been made by Kilcullen Town Hall's management committee.

Equipment for screening films digitally was installed last year in the auditorium of the Town Hall, which seats 110 people in leather luxury, thanks to being equipped with Volvo car seats since the year 2000.

Private screenings by the Lions Club and the CPC Parents Association of classic films have proved to be very popular, and anyone interested in becoming part of a regular Film Club should contact 045 481613, Mon-Fri 9am-1pm.

The passing of Michéal Bathe

The Diary has learned with sadness of the death of Michéal (Michael) Bathe, Logstown, and formerly of the Board Of Works, Curragh Camp.

Michéal will be reposing at his residence from 2pm today, Monday, and the Rosary will be said there at 8pm.

His removal will take place on Tuesday morning at 10.30 to the Church of The Sacred Heart and St Brigid, arriving for 11am Requiem Mass. Burial will take place immediately afterwards in St Brigid's Cemetery.

We extend our personal condolences to all of the Bathe family, and their many friends across the community who will echo those sentiments. May Michéal rest in peace.

John and Anna May go pumpkin picking

While John and Anna May Brady were in Boston last week with Noel and Ellie they went to Honey Pot Orchards to buy apples for a tart and did some seasonable pumpkin picking too.

The venue also has the largest hedge maze in America. Although John and Anna May didn't go in it, they waited for over an hour as Noel, Patrick and Ellie tried to find their way out. "We ended up needing help," Ellie told the Diary.

While they were there, they also visited James, Mo, Jacob and Saoirse in Marshfield and spent a lot of time on the beach in the 17deg weather.

Welcome home to a decidedly chillier Mile Mill, guys.

Raffled painting presented to winner

Niamh Sully from Kilcullen was the winner of the recent raffle of a Ray Ryan painting in aid of funds for the local St Vincent de Paul, writes Brian Byrne.

The painting of Carnalway Bridge was presented to the Society by the artist, and Niamh is pictured here with him, joined by Angela Sully, John Coleman, Josephine Larkin (VdeP), and Bernadette Ryan.

The presentation was made in Berneys Chemists, where the painting had been on display prior to the raffle.

CPC students show artistic 'Strength'

People walking up and down to mass, or on other business on the Mile Mill road, will have noticed the growing mural beside the entrance to the church car park, writes Brian Byrne.

It's the work of two CPC students, Laura Byrne and Lauren Fagan, who were asked to consider turning a drab sheet of plywood into something more decorative.

The project is sponsored by Kilcullen Lions Club and is being organised through Kiclullen Community Action. "It will take us four or five weekends in total to complete," Laura says.

Though both students have Noel Scullion as their art teacher in CPC, neither have plans to go to art college. "But it will look good on our CVs," Lauren suggests.

Indeed, and it may already have brought them some other work in that line, as they have been asked by a local business to consider doing something similar on a part of their premises. "Maybe there's summer work in it," Laura says.

The title of the current work, which they designed completely themselves, is 'Strength'. Nice work, too.

Kilcullen link to rare Homer bust

An 18th century bust of Homer going under the hammer in December at Sothebys in London at a guide price of up to €125,000 has a connection with Kilcullen, writes Brian Byrne.

The previously unrecorded piece by the Florence-based artist Francis Harwood was formerly the property of Canon Joseph Furlong, parish priest here from 1952 until he died in 1971, according to today's Irish Times.

Canon Furlong, who had served as an RAF chaplain in France during WW1 and flew his own plane from 1937, is understood to have bought the piece at an auction in Co Louth in the 1950s. After his death is was inherited by a relative, who recently decided to sell it.

The bust is dated 1757, which makes it the oldest of now three depictions of the Greek poet by the artist, who made his living providing sculpture for British aristocrats visiting Florence on the so-called Grand Tour. Harwood had moved to Florence from England.

The other two pieces are in the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, and in Castle Ashby in Northamptonshire. The one owned formerly by Fr Furlong will be on offer in the Old Master Sculpture & Works of Art sale at Sothebys on December 3rd.

Community Awards: the citations

Community Awards were presented last night by the chairman of Kilcullen Community Action, Niall McDonnell, to Owen Farrell, Julie O’Donoghue, Kilcullen Community Child Care Committee, Kilcullen Youth Club, Kilcullen Members of Kildare Ladies Inter County Pitch and Putt Club, the Text Alert Committee, Declan Dowdall, Kilcullen Scouts and Leaders, Georgie Allen, Steve Kinneavy, Bernard Berney and Joe O'Connor.


Owen Farrell

At 16 years of age Owen is the youngest ever winner of the National Inter Stroke Play which he won on July 26th 2014. Owen is a student of CPC and is a great credit to his school, his community and especially St Bridget's Pitch and Putt club. Kilcullen town should be so proud of Owen as a representative for young people and also a sports star.


Julie O’Donoghue

Nominated for her wonderful stewardship of the local library and her services to arts and culture in the area and in particular this year for her leadership in the initiative to commemorate locals who fought and died in World War 1 including the Our Unfortunate Sons event.


Kilcullen Community Child Care Committee

Presented to those have worked tirelessly over recent years so that we now have a brand new purpose built Community Child Care Facility in Kilcullen. Award presented to Orla O’Neill and Iseult O’Donoghue acting on behalf of all who helped make this dream a reality.


Kilcullen Youth Club

This nomination goes to five young people, who volunteer their time with Kilcullen Youth Club; they are 14-16years old and for the last three years they attend the youth club each week, take part in training and help out at the Junior Youth Club. They are Brandon NG, Adam Dillon, Jack Skerritt, Martin Allen, and Raymond Clare. They give up their spare time not only to attend but also to participate in training which is an integral part of being a junior leader. They have participated for the last few months in a programme run by the Bishops Drug and Alcohol Initiative and they also help to organise events for the other members and give up a lot of their own free time. In presenting this award we would also like to acknowledge all who give of their time to help the youth club. It is greatly appreciated. Thanks to Sarah, Conor, Gavin. Roisin and Aisling.


Kilcullen Members of Kildare Ladies Inter County Pitch and Putt Club

Four of the six ladies on the Kildare Ladies Inter County Pitch and Putt team are from Kilcullen. While each has achieved much individual success in recent times, bringing great honour to club, town and county, the national inter county team competition is something which has eluded Kildare since 2008. The ladies in question are Chrissie Byrne, Marian Byrne, Margaret Keogh and Tara Dillon. After finishing 2nd in this year's Leinster inter-county championship it looked as though things might not change. However, in Tullamore on the first weekend in September the ladies took the National Inter County title defeating their great rivals Dublin by 5 shots and bringing the James Vaughan cup back to Kildare. Not only are these ladies fantastic pitch and putt players but they are all active committee members within their club and help out with the running of the club. Aside from this they are all superb role models for the sport and always represent themselves in a fitting and correct manner within and outside of the playing field.


Text Alert Committee

The Text Alert Committee operates a system in the Old Kilcullen, Calverstown, Castlefish area. This committee came together about two years ago and has unified the rural community on the outskirts of Kilcullen in acting together to keep an eye on each other's well being and safety. The committee members are Ivan Keatley, Aileen Thorpe, Phil O'Brien, Maurice O'Mahoney, Mary Hayden, Brian McParland, PJ Fagan and Sabina Reddy.

Declan Dowdall

Not just for his wonderful achievements in Special Olympics, but also for being a kind, considerate member of the Kilcullen Community who is always willing to share a cheerful smile, a greeting and a bit of banter with his fellow Kilcullenites! Declan is always ready to help at weekly mass with the collections. He takes a genuine interest in the people he meets. He is particularly interested in the younger members of the community and likes to know how school, exams etc are going. When anyone is sick he is always concerned and offers help or a prayer. Kilcullen is a better place because Declan lives in it and he certainly deserves this award.


Kilcullen Scouts and Leaders

For their great support given to the Kilcullen for Life Team who helped raise money for the Irish Cancer Society recently. They were incredible helpful in giving of their time and materials to help with the project. Their organisation of this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade cannot go without mention either — it was another wonderful occasion in the Year’s calendar.


Georgie Allen

This award goes to someone who is a great neighbour, always willing to help in any way he can. He cuts grass, cleans windows gutters and his van is always available to any neighbour to collect and deliver anything that any of us need or to go anywhere. You can phone him at any hour, day or night, and he is always there for any emergency. He was a great help in preparing Conroy Park for the 40th Anniversary Celebrations — putting up bunting and helping with the barbecue. It is great to have a neighbour like Georgie — he certainly has made Conroy Park and Kilcullen a better place to live.


Steve Kinneavy

(Steve was unable to be there to accept his award, but we'll catch up with him over the weekend.)
While Steve has been our Garda for many years now and has done a great job in that role, his work in Kilcullen has extended well beyond his day-to-day duties as a Garda. Living amongst us he has got to know people very well and has himself become very much part of the community and has worked hard to support everyone in the community including those who may not have always been working towards the betterment of the community. He has been particularly supportive of young people who may have found themselves in difficulty. Steve has also been involved with local sport and in recent years has been a tireless worker for the Kilcullen River Festival. We thank Steve for his contribution which was well beyond the call of duty, wish him well in his retirement and look forward to his further involvement in the community, now that he may have more time available.


Bernard Berney

Bernard Berney has been an integral part of the Kilcullen Community throughout his entire life. Born here, schooled here and an entire working life spent here. His contribution to organisations like the Drama Group and The Bridge Magazine and to the Parish have been obvious to all and those alone are worthy of an award and recognition. Every organisation in the town will readily acknowledge the tremendous support that he has offered down through the years. But perhaps his greatest contribution has been in the many ways, most not quite as public or as obvious, that he has touched peoples lives while working amongst us in Kilcullen. In ‘The Chemists’ he dispensed medicines. But better than any chemical drug dispensed was the other type of medicine which he freely gave of — his willingness to listen, to offer a kind and supportive word to all who passed through the shop — especially the more elderly of the community. And of course the best medicine of all which he also freely dispensed over many years — laughter. A man with a tremendous way with words — both written and spoken, he has made us all laugh on so many occasions both at ourselves and at the world in general. His presence on the Main Street will be greatly missed but luckily his presence in the community will continue and while we wish him many long and happy years of retirement, much success on the golf course, we also look forward to his active participation in community life well into the future. Thank you, Bernard, for everything you have done.


Joe O'Connor

A surprise Award was given to Joe O'Connor, who celebrates his 60th Birthday on the day. Joe has made all the awards for tonight so we couldn’t ask him to make one for himself. Not only has he done the awards every year, he has also helped out in all KCA projects including Summer Flowers, Clean Ups, Christmas Lights. He is also very involved with the Lions Club and has been involved with many productions in the Drama Group over the years. No matter what is being done he is always more than willing to lend a hand and give of his talents and expertise.


Tidy Towns Local Awards

Best Large Estate, shared between Esker Lea and Avondale; Best Small Estate, Conroy Park; Most Improved Estate, Riverside Manor; Best Green Area, Moanbane; Landscape Award, Castlemartin; Best Business, White Horse Inn; Most Improved Business, The Medical Centre.

Big night of awards

There was a great turnout in the Town Hall tonight for the 2014 Community Awards, writes Brian Byrne.

Awards were presented to Owen Farrell, Julie O’Donoghue, Kilcullen Community Child Care Committee, Kilcullen Youth Club, Kilcullen Members of Kildare Ladies Inter County Pitch and Putt Club, the Text Alert Committee, Declan Dowdall, Kilcullen Scouts and Leaders, Georgie Allen, Steve Kinneavy, Bernard Berney and Joe O'Connor.

Tidy Towns Awards were also presented.

We'll have a full report tomorrow. More pictures here.

Halloween is all around

Halloween is closing in, and there's a lot of effort going in around town to dress windows and business premises with the theme. We'll try and show you as much as we can in the next week, but kicking it off is McTernans.