Sunday, May 31, 2015

Sunnyhill roadworks until Friday

The heavier traffic from the south that has been a feature of Kilcullen for the last while will continue through the coming week, writes Brian Byrne.

It's being caused by a diversion from the Sunnyhill Road, which has been closed for road works.

The works are scheduled to continue until Friday next, according to Kildare County Council.

Great evening of celebration with Fr Niall

There was a large and happy turnout of parishioners to the celebration of Fr Niall Mackey's Golden Jubilee last evening, writes Brian Byrne.

Following a concelebrated mass with Bishop Eamonn Walsh, Fr Martin Harte, and Fr Eugen Rybansky from River Valley Parish, there was a reception in the Parish Centre where presentations were made to Fr Niall on behalf of the parish, and the schools of the parish.

Many of his former parishioners at River Valley in Dublin came along to express their own good wishes to Fr Niall, who has been here since 2013 when he replaced Fr Michael Murphy.

There was also a large contingent of Fr Niall's own family.

All of the pictures from the evening can be seen here. Or play the slide-show.




Saturday, May 30, 2015

Text Alert for Calverstown

An alert has been issued for the Calverstown area by the Kilcullen Garda District Text Alert Scheme, relating to a man going door to door with a roll of carpet.

The concern is that he is reported as trying the handles of doors at houses where he gets no response.

He is described as white haired, and driving a silver SUV. The guards have been notified.

Local Jiu Jitsu champion competing at world level

Kildare-born Jiu Jitsu Champion Joey Breslin is competing this weekend in the World Jiu Jitsu Championships at Long Beach, California, writes Brian Byrne.

The 24-year-old, son of Joseph and Beth from Fontstown and educated in Athgarvan and the Patricians in Newbridge, has been competing at Featherweight Purple Belt level for four years, and is hoping to move up a competitive grade after the weekend's event.

Joey is a grandson of Nora Breslin of Brannockstown, and has many Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) titles and over 100 verifiable matches under his belt. He is a three times Irish National Champion and twice British Champion and has competed at the highest level in elite competition in Ireland, England, Europe and America.

He coaches the Intro BJJ classes at the Straight Blast Gym City Centre in Dublin, which specialises in Wrestling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Prior to his World Championship attempts this week, he been in Nevada helping his teammate Conor McGregor prepare for a July 11 bout with the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) Featherweight Champion, the Brazilian Jose 'Scarface' Aldo, in Las Vegas.

Eircode information campaign by Muintir

An information campaign on the new Eircode post-code system being introduced in Ireland is being undertaken at local level by Muintir na Tire, writes Brian Byrne.

The group is particularly aiming at elderly people who might need the system explained, or confusion or misunderstandings cleared up, and is inviting people with elderly family members or neighbours to contact them.

Conor O’Leary of Muintir na Tire is contactable on 086 6000753 or conor@muintir.ie.

This summer a letter will be sent to all addresses in Kildare notifying them of the Eircode for that address. People simply include the Eircode at the bottom of their address in all correspondence.

Conor O'Leary says there are many benefits to using Eircode, including making it quicker and easier for medical emergency services and others to locate addresses. "It is safe to give an Eircode to anyone you would normally give your address to," he adds.

From pop-ups to Hillcrest, back to family roots


When Shirley Kavanagh Hallion opened her Secret Kloset fashion outlet shop on Hillcrest just five weeks ago, she was putting down business roots not far from where some of her family roots are, writes Brian Byrne.

"My mother's parents were from Kilgowan, and though we were Dubliners, we were regularly brought down there to visit our grandparents," she recalls. "It was a small cottage on a bit of land, and there wasn't really a lot for us to do."

But that changed when Shirley and her siblings were teenagers, and they could come camping with their friends and all of a sudden Kilgowan was a lot more fun. Years later, all her family but one of her sisters had come back to Kilgowan to make their homes. Including Shirley, though she moved further down the road a bit to Crookstown last year following the death of her husband.

"Some of my friends were wondering if I was mad to be setting up a business after having had such a difficult year, as a newly single parent with two children," she told me last week, after a very successful Open Evening at the shop. "But for some reason, it just seems like the right time."

Shirley knows the fashion business inside out. She has spent 25 years in it ever since realising that her original job as a dental nurse wasn't what she really wanted to stay with. She began working in fashion for friends, then became deeply involved at retail, wholesale, production and buying. She took some years out when she had her children, but stayed in touch with the industry.

"When I came back to it, I worked in Fashion City, the wholesale centre off the M50. Over the last couple of years I also did some regular pop-up shops as a sideline in this area, and built up a terrific mailing list of customers."

Shirley had her eye on setting up something permanent in Kilcullen, a community which she really likes. Through an introduction by the Jennifer Monahan half of J & A Shabby Chic next door, she was able to do an acceptable deal with the new owners of Hillcrest. "Jennifer was actually one my neighbours in Dublin, so it's very much being with friends."

Her network of friends in the fashion industry too, helps her to offer high end clothing at affordable prices. "I'm able to buy sample collections and end of lines, and so far I haven't had to do too much travelling to buy. But things have taken off so well, I know that won't last, and I will have to travel further soon."

Just like at the buying end, Shirley's retail side is also very much about networks, of customers. The pop-up shops, and the word-of-mouth bush telegraph that is women and clothing, means that Shirley already had a solid customer base before she ever opened the Secret Kloset.

Her fashion experience has also developed a strong skill in styling for individuals, and she offers that as a complimentary service. "There are people who genuinely don't know what suits them, and they appreciate this. I'll also give them ideas on how to adapt something they already have to suit an occasion, and even if somebody like that doesn't buy at the time, I know they'll be back."



Even though Kilcullen isn't a key shopping town, it has advantages for the kind of customer Shirley attracts. It's easy to get to from Naas or Newbridge or Carlow, and is less than an hour from Dublin. Parking isn't an issue, and the kind of one-to-one interaction which is a hallmark of her retail modus operandi is easier to manage away from the High Street rush. "And my regulars from the pop-up shops are delighted that I'm somewhere full-time, it means there's less panic-buying because I'd only be around for a few days."

With signs of a brighter economy, it's another reason why Shirley has opened the Secret Kloset at this time. "In my last months in Fashion City I could see it coming. The buyers coming in were ordering more, they weren't being as restricted in their budgets as they have been for the last few years. For lots of reasons, this is the right time."



Friday, May 29, 2015

Missing windows recovered by gardai

The windows taken from a premises on the Old Carlow Road on Wednesday have been found by the gardai, writes Brian Byrne.

The Marvin windows were in storage in the premises, and would have required several men and a large rigid truck to take away.

Owner Mick Behan says he left the premises at 9.30am and was back at 3pm, when he found the windows had been removed.

It's likely that the premises had been under surveillance by those who took the windows, and there were reports that a silver SUV was seen parked up in the area that morning.

There are no further details on the recovery.

Crepes and gelato at The River Cafe

Fancy a crepe, or an ice-cream? Or better, a crepe with ice-cream, or with lots of other goodies? writes Brian Byrne.

Well, the new gelato and creperie service at The River Cafe is now open, and is offering all the above, along with fresh scones and cakes and coffee, open until 8pm in the evenings.

Noel and Katrina have been working on the idea for some time, and in the process redesigned part of the Cafe to accommodate the new counter and equipment.

"We only lost one seat," says Noel, who had spent a considerable time watching how the original booth seats in the area had been used. Inefficiently, as it turned out, and the changed layout is already working much better.

The ice-cream is all organic, and gluten-free, sourced in Carlow. The crepes have involved a bit of a learning curve, but Noel is confident now that the early trials have worked out any glitches and they're going to be a popular addition to the Cafe.

The later opening time is designed to extend the range of customers, and Noel feels it will attract a younger group of people after the normal daytime business has ended. A take-away service is part of the offer.

In a couple of weeks, Noel and Katrina are going to open the new facility on Sundays, perhaps from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. "We found last year that opening the full service on Sundays wasn't viable, but this coffee, crepes, smoothies and ice-cream might just fit."

Silver SUV seen on morning of windows removal

We now have further details  on the removal of a large number of windows that took place on Wednesday at a rented premises on the Old Carlow Road, Nicholastown, writes Brian Byrne.

It's known that the removal occurred in daylight, between 9.30am and 3pm, and that a large vehicle would have been required to take away the windows, of a very substantial value.

The windows are Marvin brand, made of composite and in a range of sizes, styles and colours. The property's owner says that a large rigid truck would have been needed to take them away, and the operation would have required several people.

A silver SUV was seen parked up in the area that morning, which would have been unusual, according to the owner. If anyone is offered the stolen goods, they should contact Mick at 087 6001004.

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact Gardaí at Naas Garda Station on 045 884300. In particular, the Gardai are anxious to talk to anyone who may have walked, cycled, or driven on that stretch of road during the day.

Bus services agreed, but 'use them or lose them'

Three new bus services each way a day are to be provided between Naas and Carlow, writes Brian Byrne. They should be up and running by August.

This follows several months of negotiation by local groups along the route with the Minister for Transport Pascal Donohue and the National Transport Authority.

But there's a stark warning from the NTA that if the services are not adequately used, they'll be stopped at the end of the year.

According to Deputy Martin Heydon, the Minister has agreed to fund the service, which will serve Kilcullen, Kilgowan, Crookstown, Ballitore, Moone, Timolin and Castledermot with a specific stop at Naas Hospital, three times a day each way. "The routes are going out to tender which local operators are welcome to apply for, with a start date of 6-8 weeks' time being envisaged."

The negotiations were initiated following a number of public meetings, after the decision at Christmas by JJ Kavanagh to keep the majority of the company's Dublin to Waterford coaches on the M9 instead of passing along the old N9 route from Kilcullen to Castledermot.

Deputy Heydon also confirmed that — following a meeting with Social Protection Minister Joan Burton — the free travel pass will be accepted on this route.

The timetable of the services will be coordinated to link up with follow-on national services in both Naas and Carlow as well as being particularly useful for those attending Carlow IT and Naas Hospital.

Large consignment of windows taken from Old Carlow Road

An incident on Wednesday at a premises on the Old Carlow Road involved the removal of a substantial value of windows, writes Brian Byrne.

The windows were taken from storage in a rented warehouse and gardai are anxious to hear from anyone who may have been walking along that road yesterday.

The owner's number is 087 6001004.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Text Alert on Old Carlow Road

Kilcullen Text Alert has reported a black SUV with an 07 registration acting in a manner that has raised concern on the Old Carlow Road.

Anyone who has other sightings to report should contact An Garda at Kilcullen or Naas.

The Kilcullen Garda District Text Alert System raises awareness of suspicious behaviour in a number of Kilcullen areas.

Billy's badges on display

Just a quick note on Billy Redmond's badges collection and display, reported here on the Diary last evening ... they are now on display in the Credit Union.

How secure is your home?

A home security campaign to support safer communities is being launched today by An Garda Siochana, writes Brian Byrne.

It will run through to Wednesday 3 June and involves asking homeowners to run through a checklist 'challenge' to see just how secure their homes might, or might not be.

We're all painfully aware of the increase in residential burglaries amongst friends and acquaintances — nationally there was a 4 percent rise between 2013-2014, and two out of three burglaries are from residences.

June is just about upon us, and that means that entries to a home through an unsecured door or window will almost double.

The front door is the most likely entry point, at 27 percent of burglaries, while the back door follows with 25 percent. But a back window tops both as a favoured entry point, at 28 percent.

And more than 200 cases of car keys were 'fished' through letter-boxes in 2014, with the favourite cars stolen being family compacts.

Here's a thing — if you can deny entry for three minutes or more, chances are the burglars will go elsewhere, so make sure doors and windows are properly fitted with quality locking systems that present a good physical barrier to the burglar. But use them — if a door or window has been left open, their security qualities won’t make any difference.

The Home Security Checklist Challenge is available here and is a simple survey which takes a few minutes to complete and enables the householder to see just how secure their home is.



Roy Thompson in the BAG

Well, we're nearly there for 2015, Part 1, writes Roy Thompson of the Ballymore Acoustic Gigs, and after a night off on June 1 for the Bank Holiday, BAG returns for just two more gigs before the summer break.

June 8 - Roy Thompson - full original show from yours truly.

June 15 - John Statz (USA) Debut BAG appearance from mid-western Mr. Statz. Debut record, 'Tulsa', just out, was produced by Jeffrey Foucault.

See ye in Mick's!

ED NOTE: And don't forget that Roy and friends will be performing on Tuesday, 16 June, in the Town Hall Theatre, Kilcullen, in aid of Maintain Hope.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Text alerts today

There were two text alerts from the Kilcullen Garda District today, relating to Brannockstown and Kinneagh.

The Brannockstown one was about a white van driving around the area with two men inside. In Kinneagh, a light blue large Fiat van with an 05 KK registration was seen on the Lurgh Lane, in a manner that aroused concern.

The Text Alert system is designed to keep the community safer by making people aware of unusual activity.

Billy of the many badges

Anybody who knows Billy Redmond is well aware that he's not a man to leave things lying around the place, writes Brian Byrne.

Maybe it's his Army training, maybe it's just the nature of the man. But he believes there's a place for everything, and even if there isn't, well, he'll find one.

So when he came across a drawer full of medals and badges some time ago, he figured it was time they all got their place. Some of them were his own service medals from a life-long career in the defence forces that took him from the Curragh to the Congo to Lebanon and many places in between.

Others were army medals he had gathered from the armed forces of other nationalities, from men and women he had met while serving overseas. Then there were the badges from the many lands he'd walked in during years of raising money for the Irish Wheelchair Association.

Without realising it, his gathering instincts had also resulted in collections of local services medals, such as An Garda, Fire Brigade, Ambulance, and groups such as the Scouts.

In all, though he hasn't yet thrown a count on them, it looks like he might have upwards of 250 very interesting pieces in his collection, including button badges of Che Guevera, and the IRA hunger strikers courtesy of local man Mattie Conway. "They're all a part of modern history in their own way, and there's a story behind every one of them," he says.

Anyway, the question for a man with an ordered mind was what to do with them? Billy is a great man for the story telling, and his medals and badges weren't saying anything where they were.

As it happened, he also had a collection of six Irish Army webbing belts, including two for best uniform, and the sports wear belt — that's the red one — given to every recruit when they joined up at the time he did.

So he got the idea of mounting his badges and medals on the belts, and having a frame made up on which they could be displayed. The result is impressive, amazing, and intriguing.

And they will be available to public view on a number of occasions that he has arranged — in the Library and other locations. The dates are being published in the next issue of The Bridge, and on most of them Billy will make himself available to talk about the stories behind the pieces.

Like the black military cap that's on top of the display. It's actually an Israeli Army item, and not easy to get. How he did ... well, go along and ask him.

Meantime, Billy is still working his way through his other recent idea, of having a display of local memorabilia from homes in and around Kilcullen. But we'll get back to that story in due course.


A reminder of Fr Mackey's celebration

Just another reminder that Fr Niall Mackey's Golden Jubilee celebration is this Saturday evening, and everybody in the parish is welcome to come along to extend their good wishes, writes Brian Byrne.

The event is being held in the Parish Centre, following the celebration of mass at 6.30pm.

Light refreshments will be served.

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Text Alert warning on Lurgh Lane

Kilcullen Text Alert has reported a silver saloon car 'acting suspiciously' on the Lurgh Lane at Kinneagh this evening.

The registration begins with 12 TN, and An Garda have been contacted.

The Kilcullen Garda District Text Alert scheme is operated in association with An Garda.

Parish Lotto Draw

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on Tuesday 26th May 2015 were 5, 11, 16 and 30. There was no Jackpot winner and next week's main prize will be €12,000.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws were Andy Dunne (Promoter Ethna Dempsey), Patsy Lohan (Vivian Clarke), and Isabelle Culleton (Mick Dunne).

The winners of the €50 Promoters Draws were Miriam McDonnell and Anne Brennan and the winner of the Draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Holly Duff.

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

Raffle done, now for the mini marathon

The Friends of Toddlers & Wobblers raised €1,130 for St Brigid's Hospice with their raffle held in Joey's Hideout on Saturday night, writes Brian Byrne. Some of the ladies there on the night are pictured here.

The Raffle winners were Amy Moran, Mary Behan and Fred Mitchell, and the organisers wish to thank all who supported their fundraising with the Raffle, bag packing and street collection. Also thanks to the Hideout for the venue, band and food.

Eighteen of the ladies will be taking part in next Monday's Mini Marathon in Dublin. Their bus leaves Nicholastown at 11am, if you want to give them a good send-off.

Celebration of Fr Mackey's Golden Jubilee

An event to mark the Golden Jubilee of Fr Niall Mackey's ordination to the priesthood will be held in Kilcullen Parish Centre on Saturday 30 May, writes Brian Byrne.

It is being organised by Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish, and all parishioners are invited to join in the celebration of a very special event.

Fr Mackey will be concelebrating Mass at 6.30pm on the evening, and refreshments will be served in the Parish Centre afterwards.


Monday, May 25, 2015

CPC Graduation 2015

Last Thursday saw the Class of 2015 graduate from Cross and Passion College, writes Noel Clare. Parents, students and teachers assembled for the Graduation Mass and Ceremony in the Parish Church with Fr Martin Harte celebrating, assisted by Fr Niall Mackey. The students themselves were involved in all aspects of the Mass including the music, which as usual was performed by a very talented and versatile group of sixth years.

Once again it was an emotional occasion as students bade farewell to their school and thanked their parents for their support by giving them a single rose. The students were addressed by their Year Head Denis Dennehy and by School Principal Catherine Moynihan and the address on behalf of the students was given by Aaron McLoughlin Sutherland.

After the Mass there refreshments were served in the Parish Centre by members of the Parents Association. For the students there was a quick change out of school uniform and for one night anyway, thoughts of the impending Leaving Certificate exam were shelved as they travelled to Carlow for their own celebration party. The Leaving Cert starts on June 3rd next.