Big day at St Joseph's NS

It was another red-letter day for all at St Joseph's NS in Halverstown today when the new extension there was officially opened, writes Brian Byrne.

The ceremony was performed by Fr Michael Murphy who left Kilcullen two years ago after serving for nine years as parish priest here.

As part of the event, two trees were planted, by Fr Niall Mackey and the youngest child in school, Murray Cole, and by Petra Conroy and the most senior child, Ross O'Brien.

We'll have a full report on the Diary tomorrow, but in the meantime, the pictures from the day are available here.

'Record those memories' plea

The memories released at the recent 'Action Replay' sporting memories event in Kilcullen Library would be 'wasted' if they simply went home with their owners, writes Brian Byrne.

That was the emphasis put on the event by John Martin, who managed the various contributions with a skill that reflected his military career.

"Whatever stories you have, Julie O'Donoghue would like if you could record them either on paper, or on a recording which Mary Orford is prepared to facilitate," he told the full house gathering for the event. It was the fourth in a series over the last two years which began with a presentation on the Schools Folklore project of the 1930s, then went through WW1 memories and on to 'Open All Hours' that gathered recollections of shopkeepers and customers from Kilcullen's past, in January.

We're not sure how many have taken up that invitation, but it is ongoing. If you have a story, contact Julie or Mary, and either write it or record it. In whatever way suits, and as short or as long as it takes.

If you're worried that you're not a 'writer', here's a hint from one who makes his living at it. Just write whatever you want to put down as if you were telling a friend in a letter. Works every time.

NOTE: As there was so much material and memories at the 'Action Replay' organised by Julie O'Donoghue and Mary Orford, the Diary is reporting from it in a series of stories over the next week or so.

Medals in handwriting

Five of our young hand-writers came home from the Community Games County Finals with medals awarded for their penmanship skills, writes Papillon Rabbitte. The event was held in Athgarvan Primary School.

In the U10 boys competition Kilcullen took three medals - 1st, 2nd and 3rd. They were Robert Dowling, Eddie O'Loughlin, and Ryan Byrne.

The U12 girls competition yielded another two medals when our girls won 3rd and 4th place medals. They were Lauren Smith and Roisin Garret .

Congratulations to you all on your achievement and best of luck to Robert Dowling who goes forward to represent Kildare at the National Finals this August.

When the Rags were county winners

Although the current generation of The Rags probably don't want to be reminded of it, it's a hundred years since Kilcullen GAA won a Junior county championship, writes Brian Byrne.

So when Mary Orford read out an account of that match at the recent 'Action Replay' sporting memories event in Kilcullen Library, it was more than interesting. Maybe a challenge to the current club.

Mary had found the report in the online archives of the long-defunct 'Kildare Observer' newspaper, about the Junior 1914/1915 Final of Kilcullen v Ballymore.

There were a number of familiar Kilcullen family names in the team list, including A Nolan and G Nolan, and a Bagnall among them. The game was played in Naas, with a 'splendid attendance' according to the Observer's correspondent 'Sean'. "He was obviously the equivalent of today's Tommy Callaghan in the 'Leinster Leader'," Mary suggested.

But 'Sean' had a completely different turn of phrase than Tommy uses in these modern times, as he would probably acknowledge. There was an initial downpour of rain which caused the 'marquees to be taxed to their capacity'. But 'Sol' came through with weather that 'cleared off beautifully' for the game itself, he reported. "Both teams turned out in the pink, and presented the appearance of being trained to perfection," the correspondent went on. "and Kilcullen played with vim and dash."

And won. "Maybe if Kilcullen can get back that vim and dash, we might see them win again," Mary concluded.

As 'Sean' might have written, 'let us draw a veil over further comment on a sensitive matter'.

NOTE: As there was so much material and memories at the 'Action Replay' organised by Julie O'Donoghue and Mary Orford, the Diary is reporting from it in a series of stories over the next week or so.

Referendum canvass in Kilcullen

Canvassers debrief.

We had a great start of our canvass for YESEquality in Kilcullen, writes Lynn Worrall. Our charming neighbors and fellow Kilcullenites were welcoming on the doorsteps.

We will be visiting all the areas in Kilcullen in the coming weeks and we urge everyone to check the register (www.checktheregister.ie) to ensure they are eligible to vote.

Anyone who wants to join us or wants more information can find us on facebook.com/YesEqualityKildare or twitter.com/YesEqualityKE or email yesequalityke@gmail.com.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Diary does not take a view on referendums, and any opinions expressed on posts relating to the subjects of the upcoming referendums are those of the writers. Submissions from every point of view are welcome, but we reserve the right to edit or decline publication. The video below is produced by the Referendum Commission and contains unbiased, independent information on the upcoming referendums on marriage and the presidential candidates age. Before you vote, get the facts at refcom.ie.

Parish Lotto Draw

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto draw held on Tuesday 28 April 2015 were 3, 11, 14 and 21. There was no Jackpot winner and next week's main prize will be €11,200.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws were Mary Clancy (Promoter Miriam McDonnell), Thomas Troy (Leanne Clifford) and Mary Browne Snr (Vanessa Clarke).

The winners of the Promoters Draw were Bella Ryan and Vivian Clarke, and the winner of the Draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Steven Clifford.

The Parish thanks all those who support the Lotto.

Dogs problem at soccer games

Dogs brought by supporters to soccer games in Kilcullen have been causing a certain amount of angst on the sidelines, writes Brian Byrne.

Kilcullen AFC say that several visiting teams have found this to be 'very intimidating' and in some cases 'potentially dangerous'. "Not all people are comfortable around these dogs, and with footballs flying around the dogs are wound up," a spokesman for the club says.

The club is asking that anyone who wants to bring their dogs along to a game should stay back a good 15-20 feet from the playing area.

Punchestown charity race helps child kidney patients

If you want to read all about how money raised by the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund is helping young kidney patients in Temple Street Children's Hospital, get this week's Kildare Nationalist, writes Brian Byrne.

The 26th running of the PKRF Charity Race at Punchestown takes place on Saturday. It was established by Kilcullen's James Nolan, himself the recipient of a kidney some two and a half decades ago.

'Action Replay' on Kilcullen hurling

Brendan Moran, Frank Morrow, Tom O'Connell and Liam Sherry.

When John Martin held up a 1962 All Ireland Hurling Championship medal at last Sunday's 'Action Replay' event in Kilcullen Library, he noted that not many people knew there were a number of them held by local people, writes Brian Byrne.

That was the introduction to some very singular sporting memories by those same medal holders — Tom O'Connell, Stevie Schwer, Jim Barker and Liam Sherry. Liam was quick to point out that he hadn't actually played on the Kildare team that beat Longford in the All-Ireland final, but had been on the panel.

Tom O'Connell, who captained the winning Kildare team, outlined how so many Kilcullen players came to be on it. "A new curate, Fr Sean Collier, introduced hurling in Kilcullen when he came here," he recalled. "He was a Laois man and had played for his county in Senior hurling. My father, who came from Kilkenny, was interested, and so was JJ Whelan's father, and a few more."

Under Fr Collier's tutelage, the Kilcullen lads were able to put together a Minor squad, training in the 'Priest's Garden', now the piece of land beside the Church Car Park. However, as they got older, they weren't able to keep enough players to form a Junior team, so several Kilcullen lads went to play with Moorefield in Newbridge, and later played for Kildare. "In 1962 we won the Leinster Championships against Wicklow, and then the All Ireland final against Longford."

Among the other mementos from that game is the ball used, which is owned by Stevie Schwer.

Among the GAA memories of the afternoon was one about how priests were not supposed to play football and other games at the time, and those who did used pseudonyms. "We had Fr Collier playing football for Kilcullen, and later also Fr Hegarty — who went on to play a lot of rugby afterwards," Stevie Schwer remembered. "But whenever the Kilcullen priests were mentioned in match reports, they were named as 'Joe Furlong', taking the name of the parish priest at the time ... without his knowledge."

The converation went from there to some mention of the now-notorious 'ban', which prohibited GAA players from participating in 'foreign' games like soccer and rugby. Brendan Moran recalled how Tony Aspell was one of the local players who defied the ban, playing rugby with the Old Kilcullen Rugby Football team and then togging out for Kilcullen GAA.

That prompted John Martin to observe that in many soccer and rugby team photographs of the time in newspapers, some players could be noted with their heads down, 'looking at the ground'. "And one of the best GAA jobs at the time was to be on the vigilante committee, because you had to attend all the games ... to see if anyone was breaking the ban."

That segment of the afternoon concluded with a recollection that Tom O'Connell had come joint third in the famous 'Puck Fada' competition in the Cooley Mountains during his hurling days.

The competition involved players chosen from each county, 'pucking' a ball over a course in the mountains as if they were playing golf. "The winner that year did it in 70 pucks," Tom remembered. "I scored 72, coming joint third."

NOTE: As there was so much material and memories at the 'Action Replay' organised by Julie O'Donoghue and Mary Orford, the Diary is reporting from it in a series of stories over the next week or so.

Bloomsday concert for Maintain Hope

A concert in aid of Maintain Hope is being organised by local musical impresario Roy Thompson for Bloomsday, June 16.

What is promised for the 'Lark by the Liffey' in the Town Hall Theatre is a 'galaxy of stars'.

"It will be the gig of the year," says Gerry O'Donoghue, founder of Maintain Hope, which supports an orphanage and a number of schools in Kenya.

Tickets are €10 for the evening event, available from Gerry or other Maintain Hope people.

Diary date, people.

Suspicious activity in Old Kilcullen

Kilcullen Garda District Text Alert has warned of suspicious activity in the Old Kilcullen Area.

The vehicles involved include a silver Mercedes, a Toyota Avensis, plus one other.

Any related sightings of incidents should be reported to An Garda

Spout win Kildare darts trophy

The Spout Darts Team were presented with the Div 3a Kildare Districts Darts League trophy at an event in Swifts of Newbridge at the weekend, writes Brian Byrne.

The team was led by Joe Mallon, and comprised Kevin Brennan, Mark Farrell, Martin Russell, Jimmy O'Connor, Podge Byrne, Damien Dunne, Ger Shanaghan, Derek Courtney and Terry Meany.

Well done, lads. There will be an appropriate celebration in due course.

Punchestown race helps Aimee Louise

This is Aimee Louise Fenton from Midleton in County Cork, and she is with a number of those who will be riding in next Saturday's Punchestown Kidney Research Fund Charity Race at Punchestown, writes Brian Byrne.

They are Charlie Coonan, Ruth Murphy, Glen Norris ... and last year's winner Paul Fahey.

Aimee Louise is 12, and has been on dialysis for much of her life from within a week of being born. For some years she had a successful kidney transplant, but that failed three years ago, and she is currently awaiting the results of tests for a living donor kidney from a relative.

She travels up to Temple Street Children's Hospital in Dublin three times a week for dialysis. The Charity Race inaugurated by Kilcullen's James Nolan 26 years ago is helping Laura and other children with acute kidney problems like her.

Read how in tomorrow's Kildare Nationalist, and do support the race with sponsorship if you can.

Fascinating afternoon of sporting memories

There was a very interested and appreciative turnout for this afternoon's 'Action Replay' event about sporting memories in Kilcullen, writes Brian Byrne.

Among contributors to the afternoon were Tom O'Connell, Steve Schwer, Jack Kelly, Vourneen O'Connell, Noel Lynch, Jim Barker, Brendan Moran, Billy Redmond, Josie Connolly, Shay Walker, Laura Lynch, Chrissie Byrne, and many others.

Memorabilia brought in for the occasion included Hugh Peacocke's scrapbook, various foorball medals, Old Kilcullen RFC pictures and a jersey, and photographs from the early days of Kilcullen Canoe Club.

The afternoon was moderated by John Martin. There's a lot of material to sort out, and we'll come back with a more extensive report in due course.

Meanwhile, here are the pictures from the event.

Kilcullen man's initiative helping kidney patients like Laura

This is Laura Doyle from County Longford, and Glen Norris from Dungarvan in County Waterford is showing her a picture of the horse he'll be riding in next Saturday's PKRF Charity Race at Punchestown, writes Brian Byrne.

Laura is a kidney patient at Temple Street Children's Hospital in Dublin. The Charity Race inaugurated by Kilcullen's James Nolan 26 years ago is helping Laura and other children with acute kidney problems like her.

Read how in next Tuesday's Kildare Nationalist. And help support the fund wherever you can.

TODAY: Action Replay: Sports memories of Kilcullen

Did you kick a round or oval ball? Bowl a maiden over? Lob a ball over a net or into a basket? Smash a ball off the wall of the Handball Alley? Don a pair of boxing gloves? Score 180 on a darts board or 147 on a snooker table?

If you did, or even tried and failed to do so, come along to Kilcullen Community Library today, Sunday 26th April at 3pm. Join us and listen to stories of sporting prowess, brush the dust off your own memories and share your tales over a cuppa.

Admission Free. All are welcome.

Come out and vote

Are you registered to vote? writes Lynn Worrall. Many are surprised to discover they are not.

May 5th is the deadline to ensure you are on the register of electors in Kildare. As it approaches we urge you to check the register of electors (www.checktheregister.ie) to make sure you are registered to vote. You can also check in all local authority offices, post office, Garda station and the library. You can easily register and all the details are on the website.

Of course having a vote is no good if you don't use it, so mark your diaries and come out and VOTE in the Referendum on Marriage Equality and on reducing the age of eligibility for office of President on May 22nd.

In Kilcullen recently a Pledge to Vote street canvass by YES Equality Kildare was a great success with many Kilcullen folk pledging to come out and vote on May 22nd.

YES Equality Kildare can be reached on www.facebook.com/YesEqualityKildare, on twitter.com —YesEqualityKE.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Diary does not take a view on referendums, and any opinions expressed on posts relating to the subjects of the upcoming referendums are those of the writers. Submissions from every point of view are welcome, but we reserve the right to edit or decline publication. The video below is produced by the Referendum Commission and contains unbiased, independent information on the upcoming referendums on marriage and the presidential candidates age. Before you vote, get the facts at refcom.ie.

Full house for The Odd Couple

There was a full house for last night's presentation of 'The Odd Couple' by the Teen Theatre in the Drama Dynamics Studio, as these pictures from Pat Foley show. Everybody had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed the performance from the teens, and from the members of the Adult Drama Class.

Brian caught for an extra 50th

It was a combined operation by Maree Fallon and the restaurant's longtime manager Mary O'Neill, and they caught Maree's husband Brian right well, writes Brian Byrne.

He was brought through to the function room by the back door behind the bar tonight, ostensibly to see how a wedding party was going on. Except the party was for him. It's clear from the pictures that he hadn't suspected a thing.

Brian was 50 in February, and celebrated it then with his dad and mum, Frank and Clare, in family style. An even more special event as Clare was also marking another significant milestone of her own. Last night was an extra event, so that his and Maree's many friends could celebrate too.

The first people he met when Brian came through the door were his mum and dad, who had flown in from their 'retirement' bar in Fuengirola. Then it was a long round of family, friends, and more friends.

It was a good night. It was clearly going to be an even better one as we left. It might well still be going on as you read this.

More pictures later.

Estates got more money than we thought

The grants to local residents associations from Kildare County Council as recently reported weren't all the good news, writes Brian Byrne.

In fact, we understated the figures because all we had were the Council's own disbursements. They were subsequently topped up by the Naas MD councillors from their discretionary funds of €50,000.

So the totals actually came to €435 for Cnoc na Greine Woods, Esker Lea €512, Moanbane Park €830, Hillcrest €939, Bishop Rogan Park €1,048, and Cnoc na Greine €2,898.

During the meeting Cllr Fintan Brett questioned the variance in the Council's allocations and especially that Naas estates were getting substantially more than estates in Kilcullen, Kill or Sallins.

The reasons given were not acceptable to the councillor, who says will take the issue up with the Environment Department in KCC. "Naas Town Council is now abolished and the two-tier funding of residents associations is gone with it," he said.

AGM of interest to older people

The AGM of engAGE Kildare, the Older Person's Council, is being held on Tuesday 26 May in the Killashee House Hotel at 2pm, writes Sean Cleary, chair of engAGE Kildare.

EngAGE Kildare was established in 2012 and its main role is to communicate the needs and views of older people to the Kildare Age Friendly County Alliance and to update members of improvements that will make County Kildare a Better Place in which to grow Older.

In South Kildare, the Bus Fiasco is certainly not doing that, so I would encourage you and all your members to attend and express your concerns on the 26 May in Killashee Hotel. The day will also feature a little music and light refreshments and transport can be made available if sufficient people require it.

An Exhibition and Information of the services available to older people will be a feature of the the afternoon from 2 o'clock. Please bring this to the attention of your members as soon as possible and advise Marie Kane at 045980800 (office hours) or mariekane@kildare.ie of number coming and if transport is required. Should you like further information or an Engage Kildare member to visit your group, I will try to arrange that too.

If you know of other groups that look after Older People please forward this invitation, but do let me know so that they can be added to our contact list. As we used to say in Irish 'There is strength is working together'. Further information from 087 9090044.

New ladies fashion shop

A new ladies fashion outlet store opens on Hillcrest tomorrow, writes Brian Byrne.

Beside J&A Shabby Chic, Secret Kloset Designer Outlet opens its doors at 12 noon.

Just in time for Punchestown, Renata & Zeila are two leading European brands that the shop will be stocking.

Sizes range from 10-20 with discounts of up to 40 percent off RRP

Elisa Cavaletti is also available at up to 40 percent off RRP!

Form an orderly queue, now, please ...

Catriona has ladies fashion gig this evening

Blatant family plug: Your editor's always-smiling cousin Catriona Byrne is having a special pre-Punchestown event this evening in her ladies fashion shop in Naas.

The gig kicks off at 5pm and will run until 8pm, with wine and nibbles included. As well as some special offers for the week that's upcoming, and a parade ring of smart wear for all ages, there's the chance of two tickets to be won for Ladies Day on Friday.

Catriona is always on for painting the town red, so don't miss out on this one.

Healthy living foods demo

A fundraising workshop and demonstration on plant-based foods for healthy living will be held at the Kildare Steiner School on 9 May.

It will be conducted by Natasha Czopor, who attends the Parent & Child Group at the School.

Natasha is the founder of 'Natasha's Raw & Living Foods', details on natashaslivingfood.ie.

More details on the workshop closer to the event.

Art exhibition planned for KWWSPCA

An Art Exhibition for the autumn is being planned for Fallons in Kilcullen, as a fundraiser for the Kildare West Wicklow SPCA.

Any artists who would like to show and sell their work should contact the KWWSPCA by phoning 087 6803295.

Offers of help in organising the exhibition would also be welcome.

'Odd Couple' in Kilcullen tomorrow night

The Drama Dynamics Teen Theatre will present 'The Odd Couple', by Neil Simon, at The Studio on Hillcrest tomorrow, Friday April 24.

The evening kicks off at 8pm and the sub of €10 includes a glass of wine to help all get in the mood for a hilarious comedy that later became a hit TV series and a movie.

There will also be presentations on the night from the Adult Acting Group currently training with Drama Dynamics.

Signs for Text Alert Scheme

Ten signs are being ordered for the community Text Alert scheme, a meeting of the organising group heard last night, writes Brian Byrne.

Membership remains at €10 annually, to fund the ongoing costs and the new signs, which will be placed on poles already used for the Community Alert scheme.

The meeting of the Kilcullen Garda District Text Alert group in The Stream Inn in Calverstown were also told that the membership in the scheme is now up to 412.

The communities of Brannockstown and Kinneagh joined recently, extending the original area of Old Kilcullen, Calverstown and Castlefish, where the scheme was inaugurated in July 2013.

Scores of Alerts have been processed and transmitted to participants in since then. They included details of suspicious activities and vehicles, burglaries, and thefts of property and animals.

Any group or residential area can contact Sabina Reddy if interested, or email the Diary (kilcullendiary@gmail.com) and we'll put you in touch. The organisers emphasise that the scheme is not just for the more isolated rural areas, and are encouraging estates in the town to become involved.

The national Text Alert system was officially launched in September 2013 and is operated by the Gardaí with Muintir na Tíre, Neighbourhood Watch and the Irish Farmers Association.

More than 100,000 people are signed up to the scheme from 550 groups across the country. More than one million SMS messages have been sent via the system to date.

Application forms are available in Kilcullen Credit Union, Kilcullen Garda Station and The Grocery store in Calverstown.