Hazel notches up another commission

Kilcullen author Hazel Gaynor is adding yet another commission to her list of books contracts, a novella centring on the events of Armstice Day, 1918, writes Brian Byrne.

It will be part of an anthology of similarly based novellas by nine authors, most of them from the US, and will be published by the William Morrow imprint in 2016.

"It's the idea of a writer I know in America — we share the same agent," says Hazel, whose second novel is soon to be launched in the US by the imprint's parent, HarperCollins. "With 2014 having started the centenary events for the Great War, I was very keen to get involved."

Hazel had already touched on the subject when writing her third novel for HarperCollins, due for publication next year, and she was keen to explore it further. "It is a part of history I always wanted to know more about. My piece is set between a small village in Yorkshire — a nod to my roots — and the battlefields of France."

The contributing authors to the anthology — 'A Fall of Poppies' — are Heather Webb (Becoming Josephine & Rodin’s Lover), Jennifer Robson (Somewhere in France & After the War is Over), Jessica Brockmole (Letters from Skye), Kate Kerrigan (The Ellis Island trilogy & The Lost Garden), Lauren Willig (The Ashford Affair & The Other Daughter), Beatriz Williams (A Hundred Summers), Marci Jefferson (Girl on the Golden Coin), Evangeline Holland (An Ideal Duchess & A Duchess’s Heart) and Hazel herself.

Review: Deadly Confederacies and other stories

Deadly Confederacies and other stories. Martin Malone. Short Stories.

It's a truism that in writing you should write from where you know, writes Brian Byrne. And since I come from the same county as Martin Malone, and also have known him for years, I can relate to many reflections of Kildare and its people in these stories. But there are also many set in the parts of north Africa and the Middle East where Malone served with Irish peacekeeping forces during his army career. These do not echo any part of my own background, and therefore perhaps I was able to read them with more objectivity.

You could read this collection as a sort of chronology in a couple of ways. I had the sense that the stories run in a sequence from when they were written, as they certainly matured from the first through the last. Or they might represent the author's probing of life through ages, as the early ones recall boyhood, the latter peruse old age. As far as I can recall, all are written in the first person, but the narrator's name changes in most. A couple have the same first person, in sequel.

There's a familiar one halfway through — the story that became the first chapter of Malone's rivetting novel 'The Valley of the Peacock Angel'. I understand this, a short story that stands perfectly well on its own but which eventually insists that it be allowed to become something more.

These are good stories. Some very good, as any collection will have its favourites. On the whole they are not happy ones. Nothing wrong with that, life is as we see it, and none of us live in the proverbial bed of roses, which anyhow has its own nasty thorns. But 'Confederacies' is often bedded in clumps of nettles, and Malone is not afraid to show the welts and bruises, and worse, we sometimes inflict on ourselves and on each other. It is life, and injury, and death, in raw and naked, and sometimes unfinished states.

In fairness, when I'd read the first couple of stories soon after buying the book, I wasn't inclined to rush to the rest. As it was an e-book, I left it for picking up on my Kindle app at another time, in a different humour. But when I did get back into the collection just recently, it became quite addictive, and I finished it in a very few sessions.

Being a writer myself, I don't try and analyse an author's own personality and history through the stories he or she writes. But anyone who does will have an interesting time with this collection. Even if any conclusions are probably well off the mark. You may well, though, get the feeling that Martin Malone has been never more comfortable than when he was a peacekeeper. In his picking out details of the life he and his comrades had, or in working through the characteristics of the local people with whom he obviously established a strong rapport.

Whether delving into subjects from home or abroad, personal or public, far past or fairly present, Martin Malone shows in this collection the same kind of understanding of the human condition that underpins his considerable body of work to date, in print, on radio and on the stage.

And the good thing, I believe he still has a lot more to say.

Friday night is GAA registration

Friday night, 30 January, is Seniors and Juniors registration night for Kilcullen GAA.

All club fees for 2015 are due, adults €70, juveniles and students €35, a family membership €135 and OAP and life members €30.

All players have to be registered to be able play/train as they need to be insured. All mentors/managers/committee members have to be paid up club members.

Registration will start at 8.30pm, or contact Albert Keenan 087 216 8045 or Jacinta Sully 087 668 9028 to register if you can't make it on the night.

Kilcullen GAA supports Ballymore MOTY contender

Billy Loughlin is running for Ballymore man of the year, writes Jim Buckley, chairman of Kilcullen GAA.

Last year we first asked Billy to help prepare two of our juvenile teams. Billy taught us a whole new way of looking at preparation, especially strength, conditioning and flexibility. Not only is Billy very knowledgeable but he has a fantastic way with the kids who he trains and they enjoy it so much they all want to go back to him again even though the training can be very tough.

Billy is a great asset to any community as he has a good understanding not only how to train but also how to motivate. I have no hesitation in expressing our club's support for Billy Loughlin.

Pat Coldrick back in the BAG

Next Monday sees the welcome return of Pat Coldrick — classical guitarist, and composer, writes Roy Thompson of the Ballymore Acoustic Gigs.

Pat is, without doubt, one of the best guitarists in the country, and a wonderful live performer. Combining classical guitar standards, contemporary pieces, and superb original compositions, Pat Coldrick's live show is a true joy to behold. Highly recommended — don't miss it!

More details, videos, etc here.

Doors 8.30pm, though Pat usually plays to 'warm up' from about 8pm - we call it the 'pre-show show'! The gig, 'proper' will start at 9.15pm

Spread the word, and come on out!

Pest control work ongoing at Pinkeen

Pest control contractors carried out an initial treatment in the Pinkeen Stream area last week to begin elimination of the rats problem there, writes Brian Byrne.

Complete Pest Control, working on behalf of Kildare County Council, will also be back on site this week to install bait traps, according to Simon Wallace, Parks Superintendent with KCC.

"They will continue to monitor and bait the site for the next three months and the situation will then be reviewed," Mr Wallace says. "I cannot give an estimate as to when the situation will be resolved as this will depend on the uptake of the bait."

'No rats in playground' — KCA

No rats have been observed in the Kilcullen Community Playground, according to Kilcullen Community Action, writes Brian Byrne.

KCA looks after the facility on behalf of Kildare Community Council. A spokesperson also said that no request has been made to have the playground closed.

This was in response to comments on Facebook in relation to the current concerns about the rats infestation in Pinkeen Stream, which runs on the Kilcullen Community Centre property opposite the playground.

The matter was raised by parents two weeks ago, and Kildare County Council subsequently said it would arrange widespread baiting to deal with the problem.

The Council also noted that control of vermin in the area was also a responsibility of the owners of the property through which the stream runs. There has been no comment on this by the management of Kilcullen Community Centre.

The Diary understands that a representative of Rentokill pest control company has already appraised the situation. However, parents of children who use the area have this week expressed frustration at the apparent no change in the problem.

"It's getting very frustrating for everyone," says Riggy Reid, the parent who first raised the issue publicly two weeks ago. "There were 11 rats there on Saturday morning when I was walking my kids down to the Library. A car stopped and beeped the horn at them, and they scattered everywhere."

CPC TY doing 'Grease' this year

There has been a great response by local businesses in providing spot prizes and sponsorship for CPC's upcoming TY musical, writes Brian Byrne.

This year the presentation goes back to one of the favourites, 'Grease', and the show will be performed on dates starting 10 March.

"We have been blown away by the response," says the show's musical director Phionagh Gibson. "This is in addition to all the hard work that the teachers and students put in to make the musical work. It shows off how close knit the Kilcullen community is."

We'll have more details on the show closer to the performance date.

Parish Lotto Draw

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on Tuesday 27th January 2015 were 18, 20, 24 and 25. There was no Jackpot winner and next week's main prize will be €8,400.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws were Aisling Coughlan (Promoter Berney’s Chemist), Yvonne Meehan (Friday Bridge Club), and Monica Martin (Berney’s Chemist).

The winners of the Promoters Draw were Vanessa Clarke and Ethna Dempsey and the winner of the Draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Vivian Clarke.

The Parish thanks all those who continue to support the Lotto.

Badminton update

This week, three of Kilcullen's teams managed to make it to the Dublin and District Cup Finals which are due to be played in Whitehall Road on Saturday 7 February, writes Enda O'Neill, PRO of Kilcullen Badminton Club.

The semi finals were played in Whitehall Road on Saturday 24 January and first up were KBC's Division 2 team captained by Dave Mc Clean. This match went to the wire with Dave and Norrie clinching it in the final set in the final game of the match beating the Old Bawn mix pairing 21-19 in the final set. Well done to Norrie, Lynsey, Gareth and Dave in a great semi final win.

Also playing in semis on Saturday night were Nicole's Division 9 Mix Team, this game was closed out in the eight game with an excellent mix performance by Maeve and Olivier. Well done to Nicole, Maeve, Kasi and Olivier on a great match.

Also competing in the DD Cup finals are Sinead and her Division 3 Ladies Team who comprehensively beat Old School 3-0 in a fairly one sided affair on Sunday 25 January. A great result and well done to captain Sinead, Norrie, Lynsey and Rachel.

In the DDL John's Division 5 Mens team hosted PSLC in their second match in the league and the lads hoped to put their league back on track after loosing 3-1 to Lucan earlier in the week. The men were two up after the first two games but lost the third game and agonisingly lost the fourth game in the last set 22-20, giving PLSC an away draw. The lads are still in a good position in second place with two games in hand.

Caroline's Mix 3 team were away to Ailsbury in their Division 3 clash. This tough encounter ended up a three all draw with Kilcullen coming back from being 3-1 down. Caroline and the team are third in the league table and in a strong position with two games in hand on table toppers An Caislain Nua.

Sarah's Division 6 Mix team were in action away on Monday 26 Jan against Knocklyon. It was another good night for the KBC outfit and they came away with a 6-2 win. This puts Sarah and the team top of the table with an impressive two wins out of two. Sarah's team will also compete in the South West Grade 4 semi finals on February 3rd.

Finally best of luck to all our teams competing in the Cup Finals next month.

Yoga classes programme

A six-week yoga class programme begins on February 12 in Kilcullen Parish Centre.

The sessions are at 8pm. For further information and bookings, contact rory5807@yahoo.ie or 087 1270338.

New edition of Family Carer and Seniors guide

The 2015 edition of the Family Carer and Senior Citizens Guidebook has been published by Home Instead Senior Care, writes Brian Byrne.

The Guidebook provides practical information and advice to the more than 50,000 caregivers in Ireland who look after elderly parents and relatives.

“Being a caregiver can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Caregivers often feel overwhelmed by the work and the demands of those receiving their care,” says Amanda Bohan, Owner and Managing Director of Home Instead Senior Care in Kilcullen. "Over time caregivers pay a high emotional, physical, social and financial price for caring and giving. The Family Carer and Senior Citizen Guidebook is a support to caregivers and encourages them in their labour of love."

The Guidebook is produced with the support of Age Action, Nursing Homes Ireland and Age and Opportunity. Among the contents are Allowances and Entitlements, Financial Advice, Legal Information, Community Support, and Care Options.

Call 045 484 623 to order a free copy of the 2015 Family Carer and Senior Citizen Guidebook.

The passing of Sally Murphy

The Diary has learned of the death of Sarah 'Sally' Murphy, nee O'Halloran, of Nicholastown.

She will be reposing at her residence from 12 noon on Tuesday.

Her removal will be on Tuesday evening at 6.30pm to Kilcullen Parish Church, arriving at 7.

Requiem mass on Wednesday at 11am will be followed by interment in New Abbey Cemetery.

May she rest in peace.

Review: Revisiting Stephen King

Mr Mercedes/Revival. Stephen King. Crime thriller and fantasy horror respectively.

I haven't read Stephen King for years, though for a long time I had been a fan, writes Brian Byrne. I guess you go through phases of reading fantastical stuff, and I eventually tired of it. And the horror also can become overpowering. Though there's no gainsaying that it is always nice to read a really professional writer, of which King is one of the best.

Anyhow, a bout of holidays tempted me to bring a couple of his current books with me from Kilcullen Library, and halfway through said holiday, they're now well and truly read. Both were stories I was impatient to get back to, both quite different. Both also with quite scary characters

In the first, Mr Mercedes, the deliberate killing of several people by the driver of a stolen Mercedes is Billy Hodges' last unsolved case when he retires after a working life as a detective. When he receives a letter from the killer some time later, it kicks him into some freelance investigating of the case. Through what's a non-horror in the author's usual style, we follow the story both through Hodge's mind and that of the killer, to a cliff-hanging end.

It's much more a thriller than a King horror, and truly well done. King has a way of getting the soul of his characters onto the printed page very well indeed, and his dialogue is tight but thoughtful. As a writer too, the author has lived and worked at his craft long enough to be able to convincingly show the details of the various ages of his characters, and bring them alive without over-dressing them.

There's real humanity here, too, especially in the Hodges character and those he interacts with. And a very chilling lack of any human feeling except his own self absorbed psychosis from his antagonist. From the beginning, we know from where both sides are coming -- the drama is in trying to decide where both will end up.

The second novel is Revival, where King uses the theme of the 'fifth business', a term in writing movies to describe the external character or thing to the normal elements of the story which transforms the action. Often appearing at different intervals to do its catalytic job.

This is a 'life' story, told through the progress and otherwise of Jamie Morton from a young boy to his old age. A fairly ordinary American life it would have been if it wasn't for his interaction at critical times with his 'fifth business', a pastor who befriended him as a youngster.

The pastor, who later dumps and revives his religious links as they suit his own journey through life, has an obsession. One which, literally, powers his and Jamie Morton's lives, and the lives of those with whom they both come in contact.

It's a story that sneaks up on the reader at various points, building an almost compulsive curiosity as strong as is that of both key protagonists. Again, King's superb command of narrative and dialogue is a treat to read.

Not so, though, the conclusion of the pastor's obsession, which will be particularly disturbing to those of faith. Of course, it's a novel, fiction. But sprinkled with enough credibility to maybe leave some readers with small nightmares.

Well, the story does deal with nightmares, real and imagined ...

Both recommended. If this is your thing.

Adult Drama classes resume

Adult Drama Classes have restarted in Evelyn O'Sullivan's Studio at Hillcrest, offering a chance for people to try out that unspoken dream of being a thespian, writes Brian Byrne.

The classes are on Wednesdays, 8-9pm, and all ages are welcome.

Just think, you could be the next Dick Dunphy, or Bernard Berney! (Hold on there, Brian. That's maybe going too far ...)

Anyhow, just turn up, or call Evelyn on +353 87 644 1504. Don't worry if you're shy, she can fix that.

Changes in parking regulations in Newbridge

The Pay Parking Bye-Laws for Newbridge will be changing on Monday, 2 February 2015, with some significant improvements for users of pay parking in the town, according to Kildare County Council.

The hours of pay parking will change to 9.30am-5.30pm.

Parking on Main Street and other streets in the town that were previously one hour maximum stay will change to two hours maximum stay.

The daily fee in the GAA car park will be reduced to €3 per day, which will make this a very attractive option when compared to private car parking facilities in the town.

The bye-laws are available for inspection at the Council’s Roads and Transportation Department during normal working hours and may be purchased for the sum of €10 or are available on the council’s website www.kildarecountycouncil.ie.

Badminton update

This week, instead on focusing on our match reports I am going to give this slot to some positive news for KBC’s Juvenile club and also for the Kildare Badminton Association in which our club members Caroline, Sinead and Ronan are heavily involved in, writes Enda O'Neill, PRO of Kilcullen Badminton Club.

Firstly, Kilcullen's Juvenile club have had two of their members selected to represent Leinster in the Celtic Team Challenge, the two selected David and Kevin Downey. The Downey twins fly off to Wales with the Leinster team on February 15th, and will play in the under 13 event. This is a great acheivement for the Downey boys as they will be the youngest members on the team at only eleven. Good luck to the lads from all at Kilcullen Badminton Club.

Congratulations also to Rachel Downey who had great success this year in the South West Championship representing Kilcullen, Rachel won the Under 17 Ladies Doubles and Under 17 Mixed Doubles bringing home more medals to add to her aleady full medals cabinate. Well done to all the Downeys on a so far sucessful season.

KBC Juvenile Club are also proud to host the West Side Tournement this year. This competition is the largest Juvenile event in the Juvenile Badminton calender. There will be over 100 kids from 27 clubs from all over Ireland competiting in this years event and good luck to all involved.

Finally the Kildare Badminton Association are hosting their annual County Kildare Badminton Championship in the Kilcullen Community Centre on Sunday the 1st of February. KBC along with other clubs from the county will compete in the different disciplines and the winners will represent County Kildare in the Leinster Individual Graded Chamionships. Good luck to all involved (esp the Kilcullen gang!).

For more info go to kbaadults@gmail.com or on the Facebook page, Kildare Badminton Association-Adults.

CPC girls win Leinster Final

Congratulations to the girls senior Gaelic Football team in Cross and Passion College on winning the Leinster Final against Gorey in Baltinglass, writes Noel Clare.

The final score in the game was 11-13 to 2-2. The girls will now progress to the ALl Ireland Semi Final in March against the Munster Final winners.

The passing of Tommy Orford

The Diary has learned with sadness of the death of Tommy Orford, Knockaulin, Kilcullen.

Tommy is reposing at his residence from 2pm on Friday and prayers will be said at 8pm.

His removal will be on Saturday morning at 10.30, to the Church of the Sacred Heart St Brigid, Kilcullen, arriving for Requiem Mass at 11am. Burial will take place afterwards at New Abbey Cemetery.

Family flowers only please. Donations if desired to Le Ceile, St Vincent's Hospital, Athy. There will be a donation box in the church.

May he rest in peace.

Motions on public transport for discussion

A number of motions on transport for discussion at next Tuesday's meeting of the Athy Municipal District have relevance for people living in Kilcullen, writes Brian Byrne.

Cllr Mark Wall is asking Kildare County Council to call on the Transport Minister to immediately provide an adequate and sustained public transport network for people in villages near the M9/N9, while Cllr Martin Miley in a similar motion wants the Minister to ensure that there is a proper bus service in place for the villages of Castledermot, Moone, Timolin, Ballitore, Crookstown, Kilgowan and all places in between.

Cllr Ivan Keatley is asking the Council to commit to a strategy of installing bus stops in the south of the county at recognised collection points for public and private operators.

Meanwhile, Cllr Miley also wants the Council to request the National Roads Authority to name the new M9 service area at Halverstown, currently under construction, after Ernest Shackleton.

The Athy MD meeting is at 10am on Tuesday, 27 January 2015 in the Municipal Building, Rathstewart, Athy.

Cleaner spaces mean less rats

The affinity of rats for human settlements is based on access to food, writes Charlie Talbot in response to recent articles on the Diary.

There appears to have been an amount of dumping into the stream which runs by the playground and community centre — one of the photographs which was posted on the Diary a few days ago shows an amount of what appear to be soft-drinks cans close to where the rats have been seen.

Anything with sugar in it is going to be of particular interest to rats particularly in the winter time when they need the calories. Rats have a very good sense of smell, and discarded food substances attract them. If there are indeed soft-drink cans beside the stream, you can bet that there are also half-eaten sweets, chocolate wrappers etc.

No self-respecting rat would pass up an opportunity for such a 'feast'.

EDITOR'S NOTE: It may seem that we are labouring the issue of rats here, but this is a timely contribution, and highlights the fact that we humans ourselves are largely the reason why we have such vermin close to us. The hedgegrows along Nicholastown, and the river bank along the Valley park, are also places where drinks cans and other similar detritus are regularly discarded. The solution is clear: keep our public spaces as clean as we do our homes, and we will minimise the problem.

Everything you (didn't) want to know about rats

The recent concerns about rats which have been raised locally are obviously worrying to the parents who have highlighted the issue, writes Brian Byrne. But the worries are likely based on very little knowledge of the species itself, just an understandable gut reaction.

So the Diary has been prompted to look at rats, in their history and current position, so that at least there's some kind of perspective.

The brown rat (Norway Rat) has only been in Ireland since the 18th century, coming via ships from Britain and Europe, having originated in Asia. It quickly outnumbered the black rat which had been the dominant species here. Today it is the most common rodent species in Ireland, and along with the mouse is the most widespread terrestrial mammal in Ireland.

It likes to live near humans because as an opportunistic feeding animal, it is guaranteed ample food. Cereal crops and seeds are favoured, but also any scraps of meat, fish, vegetables, nuts and fruits. In rural areas rats will travel up to 4km in a night in search of food.

The brown rat is a prolific breeder, a pair producing up to five litters a year, mostly between March and November. Each litter can comprise between one and 10 pups, and a pair can produce a colony of up to 800 rats in a year in ideal conditions. But generally the mortality rate is high, with up to 90 percent dying in their first year.

The key predators are owls and other birds of prey, stoats, and foxes. The brown rat is the main source of food for the barn owl in many parts of rural Ireland.

For humans it is the most serious pest species, with a number of associated diseases carried, the best known being Weil's Disease, coming from the animal's urine and which can be fatal. Mites and fleas on brown rats can transmit other diseases to humans. They can also cause structural damage to buildings and electrical systems, due to their gnawing habits.

Large scale control of the numbers of brown rats have been unsuccessful, as they have both become resistant to poisons and are clever enough to learn to avoid food traps. However, a second generation of anticoagulant poisons is quite efficacious.

Brown rats are vermin, and are not protected under any legislation.

There's an urban myth that nobody is more than 6ft from a rat, but that's probably exactly what it is, a myth. There are expert opinions that put the distance at 164ft.

Rats do not generally attack humans, unless in a tight confrontation where they are themselves under attack. Bites on children, and sleeping homeless, are generally thought to have occurred through the animals trying to eat food residue on those bitten.

Rats are not just in Pinkeen Stream in Kilcullen, they are also regularly visible in other parts of the town for those who look, including the hedgegrows along the main road opposite Nicholastown. Any watercourse, including the banks of the Liffey, likely have rat populations, particularly where food residue litter is thrown, including beer cans.

In some parts of town where there are colonies of feral cats, rats are rarely seen, for obvious reasons.

(We're grateful to Conserve Ireland as the source of some of this information. It may not be of any comfort to those who are worried, but at least now the background is information-based.)

CPC Girls Gaelic in Leinster Final

The Kilcullen CPC Girls Gaelic team play Gorey on Friday in the Leinster Final, writes Brian Byrne.

The game kicks off at 11.30am, in Baltinglass.

There are a number of Kilcullen/St Brigid's players involved — Dáire Smyth, Nanci Murphy, Kate Timmons, Sarah Doherty, Ellie O'Toole, Nadia Meslouhi, Laura McMahon, Niamh Doran, Kayleigh Humphries, Laura Quigley and Katie Brierton.

We wish them luck.

Centre has 'responsibility' for pest control - Council

Kilcullen Community Centre has a responsibility to help deal with the rats infestation in Pinkeen Stream, according to Kildare County Council, writes Brian Byrne.

That's the view of Council officials in a report to Tuesday's meeting of the Naas Municipal District.

The Council was responding to a motion by Cllr Sorcha O'Neill on the issue, highlighted last week by local parents and the Diary. The councillor had asked that KCC deal with the matter.

In response, Senior Executive Parks Superintendent Simon Wallace said that the Council is making arrangements to deal with the infestation, but that the Community Centre also had a responsibility for pest control, as much of the stream was located on its property.

Parish Lotto results

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on Tuesday 20th January 2015 were 2, 6, 11 and 12. There was no Jackpot winner, and next week's main prize will be €8,400.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws were Elaine Coleman (Promoter Vivian Clarke), Breda Kelly (John Archbold), and Carmel Somers (Miriam McDonnell).

The winners of the Promoters Draws were Miriam McDonnell and Berney’s Chemist and the winner of the Draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Nora Stempien.

The Parish thanks all those who continue to support the Lotto.

Text Alert AGM

Kilcullen Garda District Community Text Alert Group are holding their AGM on Tuesday 27 January at 8.30pm in The Priory, Kilgowan.

Please consider attending to help the committee. Very little commitment needed otherwise. Do encourage others to call in to sign up to the scheme.

Kilcullen Community Text Alert was founded in the need for the community to help liaison with the local Gardai, with the help of 'Muintir Na Tire', to prevent crime and help to observe and report suspicious activity.

This is done through signing up to the scheme (forms can be obtained from members of the Group). There is a €10 administration fee per household. Your mobile phone number is put on Kilcullen Text Alert database. (All phone numbers are under the Data Protection Act).

If suspicious activity is observed, scheme participants inform the Gardai. On the advice of the Gardai a text will be sent to all persons signed in your area informing everyone of the information.

Great afternoon of shopkeeping memories

On Sunday afternoon in Kilcullen Community Library a large crowd gathered to share memories of shops in the town, write Mary Orford and Julie O'Donoghue. Both shopkeepers and customers reminisced about the special relationship and bonds that existed on both sides of the counter. As Frances Moloney Cummins so eloquently put it, "we put the food on the customers' tables but they also put the food on ours".

Memories of all the businesses which existed, names of those who are long gone to their great reward, produce that has disappeared from shelves were all topics for discussion this afternoon. There was laughter and some tears but mostly a shared sense that, while times were hard, there was enjoyment and camaraderie.

Billy Redmond was the star of the show with the memorabilia he brought along. The washboard and basin brought stories of carbolic soap and scraped knuckles. The boots purchased in Miss Kenny's shop in the 1950s were a source of amazement as we tried to figure out how men walked in the heavy, sole-studded boots and prompted Mrs Kathleen Mitchell to recall that you could buy replacement hobnails to ensure the boots lasted even longer. Billy made a special plea for the memorabilia to be stored and preserved. Not just the objects he has collected but he has no doubt that others have bits and pieces from the past. Billy believes that there should be a place in Kilcullen where the objects could be not just stored but available for people to see and enjoy them.

Julie O'Donoghue displayed a string shopping bag filled with items that were the staple of every shopping list back then and many a string bag hung on the handle bars of the bicycle on the way home from the weekly shopping. We even listened to some old television ads -," Sally O'Brien and the way she might look at you", "and all because the lady loves Milk Tray" Frances Moloney Cummins shared her memories of hiding under her mother's shop counter and being "little ears" listening to adult conversations and, no doubt, many a shared confidentiality.

Brendan Moran, from far away Australia, provided his memories, Mary Orford shared her memories of her time behind the grocery counter working alongside her father and Niall McDonnell talked about selling wet and dry batteries, motor cycles and the television sets that were slow to sell at first because there was no television reception in the town.

After the presentations, the conversation continued over a cup of tea and the hum of chat and laughter rang out — which is always a sign of a successful event.

Thanks to Kildare Library and Arts Service for making the location available and thanks to everyone who turned up to walk down memory lane.

(Pics: Joe O'Connor.)

Memories of Greenhills Castle

Out of the mists of time Greenhills Castle has reappeared, writes Jim Collins.

Enter the M9 motorway from Kilcullen driving towards Dublin after passing under the second bridge (the Curragh Road bridge), watch for the line of pylons and at the end of the view of the pylons on the right hand side, you will see — due to the fact that trees on the right hand side of the motorway have been removed — a clear view of Greenhills Castle, now on the Castlemartin Estate .

Older generations of young Kilcullenites have varied memories of the castle, that it was haunted, that a young man from Kilcullen died as a result of a fall whilst climbing the castle in the 1940s.

Jack Gorman lived in the remains of the Castle, we knew him as Jack Castle. He would chase you home to Kilcullen if he saw you robbing the apple trees beside the Castle.

I heard a story some months ago that Jack met two young lads from Kilcullen at the Castle one day and told them, that in the mound of earth beside the Castle gold was buried. Jack was highly amused the next day when he saw the two lads digging away at the hill looking for the gold.

When Jack died in the 1970s, John Doyle of Naas Road Kilcullen, of the 'suffering brothers' fame, said: “We’ll have to put up a headstone to remember Jack.” He went around the Kilcullen pubs and collected the necessary funds. Jack’s headstone in New Abbey Cemetery reads, 'In loving memory of Jack Gorman, late of Greenhills Castle'.

Note: The drawing above was done by Fergus Byrne, brother of your editor, for a poem that I wrote about Jack Gorman a long time ago. The strange thing is, he never knew Jack, but from the poem he provided an extraordinary likeness.

Class of 97 getting together again

The CPC Class of 97 are organising a reunion in Kilcullen for 11 April, writes Brian Byrne.

It will be held in Fallons, and is being organised by Elaine Mulryan Haslam.

Anyone from the year, including those who didn't complete the 91-97 period, are welcome.

There's a Facebook page CPC Class Of 97 Reunion where the organising details can be found, and contact can be made with any of the participants.

Petition to restore bus services through Kilcullen, other towns

A petition to Kildare County Council to take action on the recent cutbacks of bus services through Kilcullen and other towns has been organised by Naas man Adam Conroy, writes Brian Byrne.

The online petition is directed to councillors James Lawless, Robert Power and Seamie Moore, and also bus companies JJ Kavanagh and Dublin Coach.

It asks that the Council take action to change the recent cutbacks by JJ Kavanagh, and to explore other options to provide adequate public transport through Naas, Twomilehouse, Kilcullen, Crookestown, Castledermot and Carlow.

"Until recently the only company that provided regular bus services from Naas/Kilcullen through Crookestown and Twomilehouse and to Carlow and Waterford was JJ. Kavanagh," says Adam Conroy. "This service has recently been cut back so that now most buses bypass these towns. This has left the people of these areas who rely on public transport to get to work, school or college with very few options."

The petition can be accessed here.

No funds from Transport for M7 upgrade

Representations made to the Minister for Transport on funding for the addition of an extra lane to the Naas by-pass M7 got a response that no funds are currently available.

Many Kilcullen commuters use the M7, which suffers severe congestion at peak evening commuting hours, causing considerable delay.

Kildare South Deputy Martin Heydon had asked the Minister in the Dail about the funding for the €110m contract. The Minister said a contribution could be made by NAMA, but it would fall short of the requirements.

Deputy Heydon says the next stage is to seek the funds from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

'Open All Hours' on Sunday

The 'Open All Hours' event in Kilcullen Community Library on Sunday is a must for anybody who has an interest in how businesses developed in Kilcullen, and how they contributed to the development of Kilcullen itself.

Come along and listen to stories from both sides of the counter as customers and staff take a walk down memory lane and share their tales of how shops and shopping used to be in the town of Kilcullen. It kicks off at 3pm.

"The impetus for this memory event was Mary Orford," says Librarian Julie O'Donoghue. "Her family background and her own childhood spent in and around the family's shop and pub has left her with an abiding interest in human nature, people's foibles and peculiarities and a deep compassion for her fellow beings."

Mary will be one of the people contributing to the day. The event grew out of discussions between Julie and Mary. "We felt that it was a worthwhile project and that there would be much local interest in it," Julie says, adding that families often 'dealt' solely with one business or another. "There was huge loyalty to the shop or shops that you used. My grandmother would walk past several closer businesses in order to shop in May Brennans — a good step from Nicholastown. We had many more businesses in the town then and people had a real choice."

Most of these shops allowed people to buy on credit (tick) and it was all written down in the book and some of it paid off each week. "They offered a valuable and humane service to many families — most of the poor and working class had small wages and large numbers of children so this was a very important service to them.

"People often talk about what a nice community Kilcullen is to live in and I believe that the generosity of spirit and the compassion for people and their experiences shown by our shopkeepers has contributed in no small way to how the town has developed and to how easily we integrated our new residents into the community. The 2011 Community Survey showed (scientifically) that Kilcullen is a very cohesive community — more so than most."

Did you see Riley?

A one year-old West Highland Terrier which disappeared from Kildoon, Nurney was possibly sighted in Ballitore.

The dog's name is Riley, and if anyone happens on it, contact 087 6881331.

Brooks Williams in the BAG

Brooks Williams has been a visitor to these shores, and to Ballymore Eustace for many years, writes Roy Thompson the the Ballymore Acoustic Gigs, and it's great to welcome him back again to kick off 2015's programme of gigs.

He plays the BAG next Monday, 19 January.

Voted one of the Top 100 acoustic guitarists of all time, he is a songwriter with extraordinary depth and breadth of talent. With a distinctive rootsy blues sound, and a smooth, rich vocal, Brooks is an engaging, and memorable Live performer.

Originally from Statesboro, Georgia, Brooks now lives in the UK. But, as he says, his roots have never left him.

Deputy appeals for funding for motorway upgrade

Daily commuters to Dublin from Kilcullen will be interested to note that Kildare South FG TD Martin Heydon is raising in the Dail today a request for funding of the third lane of the Naas by-pass, writes Brian Byrne.

The deputy is emphasising to Transport Minister Pascal Donohue the need for provision of funding for the 'Naas to Newbridge Bypass Upgrade'.

This will provide a third lane from the 'Big Ball' to the M7/M9 interchange.

"Residents and businesses in Kildare South are suffering from congestion caused by lack of capacity on this section of the motorway," the deputy says.

The €50m project will also involve construction of two new interchanges and the replacement of an access bridge.

One of the interchanges, at Osberstown, will facilitate a new bypass of Sallins. The other, south of and replacing the current Junction 10 at Newhall, will provide more efficient access both to Naas South and Newbridge and eliminate chronic congestion on the off-ramp at the present Junction.

The third lane on each side will be made mostly by eliminating the grass centre margin, minimising the necessity for compulsory purchase of land.

If all goes well and funding is granted quickly, it could be completed in two years from now.

'Baiting' to be used to deal with rats problem

Wide scale 'baiting' to deal with the rats infestation at Pinkeen Stream is being undertaken by Kildare County Council, writes Brian Byrne.

The issue was raised with the HSE's Environmental Health Officer, Hilary Mallen, by Deputy Martin Heydon, following representations by parents of children who use the nearby Community Playground. He also spoke with Kildare County Council's Parks Superintendent, who has responsibility for the playground.

Following a visit to the site, the EHO confirmed that a 'heavy infestation' of rats seemed to be nesting in the old walls that border the stream, which runs along the boundary between the Kilcullen Community Centre campus and the road to the Cnoc na Greine and Castlemartin housing estates.

Deputy Heydon said the matter had been brought to his attention by a number of residents and parents, many of whom park their cars along the area in the morning when dropping their children to school. He was also told that children also cut across the stream, near the gates to Kilcullen GAA Club, as a shortcut when going to school.

The problem was also highlighted on the Diary over recent days, and three of our pictures show different rodents in their activities while the fourth shows the proximity of the playground beyond the hedge.

Cllr Sorcha O'Neill has put down a motion for next Tuesday's meeting of the Naas MD asking for the matter to be attended to.

Council to deal with rats 'immediately'

Kildare County Council is to take action on a rats infestation at Pinkeen Stream, which was highlighted on the Diary yesterday, writes Brian Byrne.

This follows direct representations by parents whose children use the nearby Community Playground, who have become increasingly concerned about the numbers of the vermin in and around the stream.

The county Environmental Health Officer visited the area yesterday, and later told one of the parents that it needed to be dealt with straight away.

"He told me it was a much worse situation than he initially thought," says Riggy Reid. "He said it was an infestation, and that they would address it. I'm to call them back next week to tell them how things have gone."

Pictured (top) is the stream itself, which has been an environmental issue since nearby estates were built over the last decade. Below a picture by local journalist Trish Whelan which shows one of the rats swimming in the stream.



"I saw several of the horrors swimming in the water," she reports. "They were huge."