Kilcullen Parish Lotto

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on Tuesday 30th June 2015 were 1, 21, 23 and 24. There was no Jackpot winner and next week's main prize will be €13,000.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws were Mag O'Connell (Promoter Mag O'Connell), Jim Corrigan (Kilcullen Parish), and Joan O'Toole (Vanessa Clarke).

The winners of the Promoters Draw were Tom O’Connell and Berneys Chemist, and the winner of the Draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Ursula O'Toole.

The Parish thanks all those who support the Lotto.

Cycle for children medical research

Anyone interested in joining Murphy Surveys and Kilcullen Cycling Club for a charity cycle we are hosting for CMRF (Children's Medical & Research Foundation) on the 25th July? writes Caitriona Hanly.

We are asking that all participants pay a registration fee of €20 with all proceeds going to the charity. We are aiming to have 100+ cyclists and would really welcome people of all abilities.

We will be supplying food and refreshments after (details will be finalised in the coming week or so) and there will be local newspapers covering the event.

The route is 50k and will be a loop from our head office in Kilcullen through Blessington Lakes. Nice views and a fantastic cause!

Summer Camps in Kilcullen 2015 update

It's summer camps time again, and just in case you still haven't booked a space on one or more of them to keep your children busy for at least some of the summer holidays, here's our list of those that are happening in Kilcullen, writes Brian Byrne.

The Soul Art Children's Art & Craft Camp will be held in Scoil Bhride, Athgarvan, between 25-29 July. Aimed at boys and girls aged between 5-10 years and includes working with papier maché, mixed media, clay and more. The sessions operate from 10am-1pm and further information is available from Petra on 086 0563625.

Local singer and singing coach Philomena Breslin is running a 4-day camp for children who want to learn songs from popular Disney films. The songs are those featured in Frozen, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Aristocats. The age range for participants is 4-11. The event will run from 4-7 August and will be held in the Bridge Camphill Theatre Hall. Each session will be between 10.30am-12.30pm, and the fee per child is €40. Contact Philomena on 087 2475303 for information and registration.

The Brannockstown Baptist Church Summer Camp will be held from 6-10 July, sessions 10am-3pm daily. It's suitable for children aged 6-12 years and the fee is €30 per child. For further information, please contact David Sandall on 087 9966100, or visit Facebook.com/brannockstownbaptist.

A series of 3-day Cookery and Farm Camps for children will take place during June, July and August at the Little Dream Aga Cookery School near Brannockstown. There are places available on 30 June, 7 July, 21 July, 4 August and 18 August. The camps will feature Preparing Healthy Breakfasts, Preparing Nutritious Lunches, Afternoon Baking, Fun Farm Activities, and Nature Walks. Suitable for children aged 4-12 years, from 10am-3.30pm, cost €85 per child. Phone 087 4180937.

The Kilcullen GAA Camp will run for three days on 22-24 July and is suitable for youngsters 5-12 years of age. They will learn lots of GAA skills and have a lot of fun doing so. There are limited places, so contact Jacina Sully on 087 6689028 or Niall Howard on 086 3872774 for enrolling or more information.

Rani Grennell's Funtastic Drama Workshop will be held on 2-17 August, at Scoil Bhride. The workshops are for two age groups in each session, 4-7 years-old and 8-12 years-old. Daily times are 10am-3pm. The cost is €70, including a booking deposit of €30. Book early to avoid disappointment by phoning 087 7923139 or go to kingsandclownsdramaschool.com.

The Sportsworld FAI Summer Soccer School has two week-long sessions in Kilcullen Community Centre this summer, 13-17 July and 10-14 August. The second week has a goalkeeper section included. Beginners will learn the fundamental football skills needed to be a player and receive a fun and dynamic introduction to playing the beautiful game. More seasoned players will focus on more technical and skill-specific training and everyone will come together in the afternoon to participate in mini-leagues and small-sided games. Each camp caters for players of all abilities and participants are grouped according to ability and age to ensure that everyone gets the most out of being there. Camps run from 10.30am-3pm, Monday to Friday. Cost €65 per week. Book online at summersoccerschools.ie.

Camp Kilcullen will run two sessions in Scoil Bhride during July, 6-10 and 13-17. For boys and girls of primary school age, it will have sport, music, dance, drama, and arts and crafts, all under full supervision of Odhran Lloyd, Charlene Kilroy, and Muiris O Raoghaill. Phone 087 2141180 for details.

The Drama Dynamics Summer Camp for 2015 will be based on the show 'Aladdin'. The Camp will run from 6-10 July, from 10am-2pm daily. All campers get their very own role and at the end of the week everyone is invited free of charge to the Kilcullen Town Hall Heritage Centre for a performance. Summer Stage is now in it's 10th year. For further details, contact Evelyn O'Sullivan on 087 6441504, or visit dramadynamics.com.

The regular Summer Art Camp in Kilcullen Community Centre takes place this year in two separate week-long modules, from 6-10 July and from 20-24 July. It's aimed at 5-12 year-olds and is under the direction of a qualified artist. There are morning (10am-12 noon) and longer (10am-2pm) session options. It's a chance for boys and girls to nurture their artistic creativity and have fun. All materials supplied, and activities include painting, drawing, clay modelling, printing and collage. Phone 087 9729611 for info and bookings. or artcampkilcullen@gmail.com.

The Starcamp musical summer camp is operating in Kilcullen Community Centre between 4-8 August and is open to all boys and girls aged 4-13. With trained coaches, participants can get involved in singing, dancing, acting, arts and crafts, and team games of many kinds. The concept is an excellent one to help a child build self-esteem and hone artistic and social skills. The fee for the week is €90, and there are discounts for siblings attending. Bookings online at starcamp.ie, or phone 021 4377900 for further information.

Kilcullen AFC Trials begin tomorrow

Trials for the various age group in Kilcullen AFC begin tomorrow, 1 July, and run through 9 July. The schedule is as follows, though there could be a second game on a different date if coaches require it.

U8s Wednesday 1st July, K/O at 5.30pm Scoil Bhride pitch; U9s Thursday 9th July, K/O at 7pm Scoil Bhride/CPC pitch; U10s Thursday 9th July, K/O at 6pm Scoil Bhride pitch/CPC; U11s Wednesday 1st July, K/O at 6.30pm Scoil Bhride pitch; U12s Wednesday 1st July, K/O at 7pm CPC pitch; U13s Thursday 9th July, K/O at 8pm CPC; U14s Wednesday 1st July, K/O at 6 Avondale; U15s TBC; U16s Saturday 4th July Avondale, K/O at 10.30-13 Avondale.

For queries and information contact Greg 087 2745045 or Ciaran 086 0626030.

Open Day for Dunlavin church repairs

An Open Day at Logatrina Cottage Garden in Dunlavin, Co Wicklow will be held next Sunday, 5 July, in aid of the St Nicholas of Myra Church Repair Fund.

The garden is a haven for wildlife and is said to be full of surprises.

The garden will be open from 12 noon until 6pm, and light refreshments will be available. Donations will be accepted for the Fund.

There will also be a raffle and a plant sale on the day.

The garden will be signposted from Dunlavin Village. Families welcome.

Vivian Clarke on Nationwide

Well, we told you all about it last week, on the Diary. So did you catch Vivian Clarke's spot on Nationwide tonight?

His window didn't get the €1,500 prize in the Dubai Duty Free Derby Festival shop windows competition ... but that slot on national TV was certainly worth an awful lot more.

We're still rolling them out in Kilcullen ...

Don't leave stuff in your car

The Diary has received reports of valuables being stolen from cars in Cnoc na Greine and the Castlemartin area.

This type of theft has also been reported in recent weeks from cars parked on the Curragh by people out for a walk.

Bottom line, the Garda advice is always never to leave valuables in your car, even on your own property. Even coats and jackets thrown on the back seat can encourage these opportunistic thieves, in the hope that there might be something in the pockets.

Final day of Flower Festival at Yellow Bog

Today is the final day of the Flower Festival at St John's Church, Yellow Bog, to mark the bicentenary of the church, writes Brian Byrne.

The photo production above, from the official opening on Friday night, gives a taste of the extensive collection of arrangements.

It features the voices of Very Rev Dr John Marsden, Bill Cole, Adrienne Thompson, Most Rev Patricia Patricia Storey, Bishop of Meath & Kildare; and Mario Corrigan from the County Kildare Library and Arts Service.

Music is by the Dara String Quartet, and Peter Moloney on the Telford organ.

Ballitore Vintage Run

The annual Jimmy Byrne Ballitore Vintage Run weekend is being held on 11/12 July, writes Brian Byrne.

The Run is in aid of funds for St Brigid's Hospice on The Curragh, and the Alzheimer Unit in St Vincent's Hospital, Athy.

Barrel and Duck races will be the feature of the Saturday evenings, while the general musical entertainment is the Beat on the Street. The Sunday Vintage run for tractors, cars, and motorcycles begins registration at 12pm, and there will be family entertainments through the afternoon.

The festival concludes with an Auction, followed by a Pig on a Spit BBQ.

Further information from 086 1600827, 085 8153401, 086 0678845.

Dunshane Open Day tomorrow

Camphill Dunshane are having their annual Open Day tomorrow, Sunday 28 June, writes Brian Byrne.

Operating between 2-5pm, there's fun promised for all the family, including crafts and cakes stalls, games, a raffle and a BBQ.

Pony rides and face painting will also be available, and there's also music.

It will also be an opportunity to see the voluntary work carried out recently by the staff of FBD (above) under the Difference Days programme, which included the building of a sports court.

There's no charge, but donations will be gratefully accepted.

Hot rodders plan family weekend event

A full family-friendly weekend is being organised by Ballyshannon Hot Rod Club for 4/5 July, writes Brian Byrne.

A number of races over the two days will include the Baby Nicholas Hyland Cup and the Sash Lennon Memorial Cup, and there will also be a series of Go Kart Relay events for all.

Pig on a Spit, a BBQ and Music will be attractions on the Saturday, while other features include a Tug O'War, Face Painting and Bouncy Castle.

Camping is available for the two days for €10, while day tickets cost €5. Call John on 087 6133356 or Claire on 085 1336733 for information.

Ivan Keatley elected Deputy Mayor of Kildare

Local FG councillor Ivan Keatley has been elected Deputy Mayor of Kildare at the Council's AGM today.

He's pictured being congratulated by FF councillor Martin Miley, who supported him. "I was delighted to park party politics in this instance to support him," Cllr Miley tweeted afterwards.

Vivian Clarke going Nationwide

If you happen to be in watching the 6-One News on RTE TV on Monday, stay on for Nationwide and you'll likely see a familiar Kilcullen face, writes Brian Byrne.

Our own Vivian Clarke will be on as part of a feature on the Irish Derby Festival, in connection with his shop windows entry in the competition run in conjunction with the Festival.

He was approached earlier this week by a Nationwide crew, which was led as it happened by a former RTE colleague of mine, Mary Fanning.

He was in good hands there. So was she, given Vivian's Kilcullen Drama Group experience and ease with speaking in public ... they only had to do one take, for which he got compliments!

As they say, stay tuned, on Monday.

Heydon welcomes bus routes funding

Fine Gael Kildare South TD Martin Heydon has welcomed the confirmation of funding for new public service bus routes to service South Kildare from Minister for Transport Pascal Donohoe.

This follows a concerted campaign by local residents, councillors from the Athy Municipal District, supported by Kildare South Oireachtas members, following the loss of bus routes from Castledermot, along the old N9 and Athy earlier this year.

The timetable of the routes have been 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. The routes are currently being tendered for with a start date by the end of July being envisaged.

Free travel pass will be accepted on the new routes. The new routes will be trialled until the end of the year with the warning from the NTA to the local communities 'Use it or lose it'.

Pictured are members of the Castledermot Action Group in Leinster House with Deputy Heydon.

Bishop opens St John's Flower Festival

The official opening of the Flower Festival to mark the bicentenary of St John's Church at Yellow Bog last evening was a most pleasant event, writes Brian Byrne. 'Stepping Through Time' was opened by the Most Rev Patricia Storey, Bishop of Meath & Kildare, in the presence of the Dean, Very Rev John Marsden.

A concert and reception for sponsors and supporters of the Festival included music on the church's organ by Peter Moloney, and chamber recitals from the Dara Quartet of Dorly O'Sullivan, Alice Kelly, Helen Harney and Aoife Doyle. Among the composers celebrated were Vivaldi, Elgar, Bach, John Rutter, Arthur Duff and Henry Purcell.

An address by Mario Corrigan of the Kildare County Library & Arts Service looked through the known history of the church, believed to have been built on the site of an earlier church associated with the monastic site of Old Kilcullen.

Organiser Adrienne Thompson thanked all who had helped with the preparation of the Festival, which runs through the weekend and is open from 10am each day. She paid particular tribute to the flower clubs and arrangers who had contributed to the event, and to the sponsors of the various arrangements and the Festival itself, without whom it could not have gone ahead.

The many arrangements on view are varied and imaginative in both blooms used and concepts, and it is only when spending time with the details in each that one comes to appreciate the many stories being told in flowers and motifs. Our photographs here show only a small part of the overall display.

A visitor's fee of €8 will go to parish funds. The Diary suggests the event is well worth taking a little time out to see, not just for the arrangements, but to revisit, or visit for the first time, a church with an interior that is possibly a largely unknown gem in the community.

Lough Derg Pilgrimage

The Kildare Pilgrimage to Lough Derg will take place on Friday 3 July to Sunday 5 July.

The bus will leave Newbridge at 5.45am on the 3rd.

For further information, contact Mick Sammon on 087 6697902.

Community Games results

A number of Community Games events took place over the last while, writes Papillon Rabbitte. Below is a summary of the results.

Gaelic Football
The U-12 girls (above) had another great win with a three point victory over a very talented Clontarf side (1:5 to 1:2). It was a fantastic game of football against the Dublin champions and our Kilcullen girls battled hard to the very end.

The girls, who already hold last year's Leinster title, will now play the Leinster semifinal in Hawkfield, Newbridge on the 4th July. All support is welcome and kickoff is at 11am

Cross Country
The Kildare cross county trials were held earlier this month. Our own Molly Aspell ran a terrific race and qualified for the U-14's Kildare relay team. Best of luck to the team in the National Finals this August.

Gymnastics
Well done to all our talented gymnasts who competed at both local and county level.

Local/Area Results
U-9: 1st Anna Taylor
U-11: Joint 1st Kiera Legg & Saoirse O'Brien, 2nd Abbey MacNamara, 3rd Emily Larrigan
U-13: 1st Caoimhe Vickers

County Final Results
Kilcullen competed in the under 9 and under 11 competitions at county level.

In the U-9 category, Anna Taylor won a medal for 4th place.

Keira Legg was the winner of the U-11 category and Saoirse O’Brien finished 3rd. Keira will now go forward to represent Kildare at the National Finals in Athlone.

Projects
Congratulations to the Kilcullen entrants who took part in the county final of the projects competition.

In the U-11 category, Chantelle and Jordon Olivier received a bronze medal for their project, 'When my grandparents were young'.

Ava Noone and Aideen Farrell came 4th for their project, 'Ireland's most famous person'.
In the U-13 category, Alison Grimes and Emma Doherty took the silver medal with their project 'The History of the Community Games'.

Maisie Biddulph and Scott Fleming were awarded third place for their project.

Athletics
A big thank you to everyone who attended our local athletics competition. Special thanks to Crookstown Athletic Club for the use of their facilities and to all the tiny tots who competed on the evening…our future stars! Results are below.

Boys:U-8 60m: 1st Eoin Dowling, 2nd Fionn Howard, 3rd Declan Coleman, 4th Turlough Donnelly
U-8 80m: 1st Ryan Sheridan, 2nd Turlough Donnelly, 3rd Charlie McCaffery, 4th Fionn O’Brien
U-10 100m: 1st Darragh Coughlan, 2nd Ruari Morgan, 3rd Daniel Baars, 4th Eddie O’Loughlin
U-10 200m: 1st Dermot Coleman, 2nd Eddie O’Loughlin, 3rd Rory Taylor, 4th Conor Curry
U-12 100m: 1st Tadhg Brophy, 2nd Tom Healy, 3rd Matthew Baars, 4th Rossa Howard
U-12 600m: 1st Aiden McMahon, 2nd Paddy Taylor, 3nd Chris Connor
U-12 Ball Throw: 1st Jamie Murphy, 2nd Matthew Baars, 3rd James Dean, 4th Paddy Taylor
U-14 100m: 1st Colm McMahon, 2nd Harry Mallon
U-14 800m: 1st Jake Murphy
U-14 Long Jump: 1st Colm McMahon
U-16 High Jump: 1st Luke Hennessy

Girls:U-8 60m: 1st Grace Doyle, 2nd Louise Maguire, 3rd Laura Collier, 4th Amy Egan
U-8 80m: 1st Alannah Stone, 2nd Anna Mulhern
U-10 100m: 1st Rebecca McCaffrey, 2nd Sophie Doyle,3rd Hannah Sheridan, 4th Caoimhe Egan
U-10 200m: 1st Leah Tyrrell, 2nd Amy Tyrrell, 3rd Grace Deane, 4th Emilia Gil
U-12 100m: 1st Sophie Ngai, 2nd Molly O’Loughlin, 3rd Emily Quigley, 4th Edwina Birchall
U-12 600m: 1st Hannah Breen, 2nd Ellen Coleman
U-14 100m: 1st Grace O’Toole, 2nd Sally Murphy, 3rd Ruth Birchall
U-14 800m: 1st Molly Aspell
U-16 200m: 1st Ellie O’Toole
U-16 Triple Jump: 1st Lisa Aspell

Taking your prints, but not for CSI

When Damian Dunne takes your fingerprint, he does it with forensic precision, writes Brian Byrne. But he's not investigating you for a crime, it's for a hot line in his jewellery.

"Having your fingerprint engraved on special jewellery pieces is very popular," says this Ballyfermot born jewellery maker who has lived in Kilcullen for almost a decade and a half, and who recently moved his shop from Kildare to Newbridge (just beside Specsavers).

In many instances, the fingerprints are put on pendants, but they're also very popular with 'partials' on wedding bands, either on the outside or the inside. Parents also like to have a fingerprint of their children on a piece.

"A detective came into my shop one day and noticed some examples, and said they were very good. But I was using a standard ink-pad to take the print, so some time later he brought me in one of the very fine ones used by police forensics people. The work got even better."

Damian's jewellery making career started off in 1976 when he got an apprenticeship to a company that made and supplied to shops. "It was a five-year apprenticeship, and I learned a wide range of skills. My actual trade is a mounter, making the mounts on rings to hold the stones."

He was living in Tallaght when he decided to open his own business, in Tullamore in County Offaly. That was what prompted the move to Kilcullen — "it was a shorter distance to travel every day."

He moved the operation to Kildare 11 years ago, expecting — like many local businesses — that there would be footfall spillover from the Kildare Village. "There wasn't, though. Village shoppers just come off the motorway, do their shopping, and leave again." When an opportunity came up a while ago to open in Newbridge, he ran with it. And already, only open around a month or so, he can see the difference.

"Newbridge is a much busier town, very cosmopolitan — a lot of different ages, cultures, languages. There's a buzz about the place. But I also see that customers from Kildare have followed me here."

Apart from the fingerprint items, Damian does a very individual line in Celtic designs, notably a Newgrange range. "I find Celtic designs very inspirational, and I also do Ogham pieces. People appreciate the individuality."

And if you have an interest in Irish mythology, talk to Damian about the old stories, and he'll show you what he can do with the tale of the Salmon of Knowledge and similar (now, does that bring you back to your early primary school days?).

This article was originally published in the Kildare Nationalist.

Fr Raymond O'Donovan: An Appreciation

The passing of Fr Raymond O'Donovan reminds me of many French classes he gave at Newbridge College, writes Garreth Byrne.

French pronunciation is so subtle and French irregular verbs can be a mystery tour, particularly the subjunctive. I never learned to speak French in a conversational way but I can read French newspapers and magazines, and have even read a few books with the help of a fat dictionary. Being able to read train timetables or restaurant menus when visiting Normandy or Paris is a survival skill.

Fr O'Donovan taught us those golden oldie songs Frere Jacques (which is taught in English to Chinese children) and Sur le pont d'Avignon. Some Inter Cert and Leaving Certificate textbooks we had to plod through included l'Oncle Scipion et sa promesse, A l'ombre des ailes (about flying) and Pecheur d'Islande (about Icelandic fishing life) with its unforgettable final line (because he drowned) 'Il ne revint jamais'. (He never returned.) I've missed out on some vital 'accents' in that list, but can blame it on my Chinese computer.

Fr O'Donovan admired French culture and spent several summer holidays in that country. He brought groups of students to Paris and helped some to board with French families. I remember he had to cancel a trip in 1962 because of bomb explosions in French cities relating to the Algerian crisis. One day he played a tape recording in class of President De Gaulle speaking on French radio asking the people of France to unite against the violence. Here is one sentence I remember: J'appelle tous les Francais, qu'ils soient, ou ils soient, a se renuir a la France.

Adieu, Fr O'Donovan. Que le Bon Dieu te benisse. (Again, apologies for missing French accents.)

Juvenile Fishing Competition

Kilcullen Trout & Salmon Anglers Association are holding a Juvenile Fishing Competition on Sunday 5 July, writes Liam Stenson.

Those participating should meet in the market square, outside Carry Out, for sign-in at 2pm. All will meet back there at 6pm for prize giving.

All juvenile anglers must be members of the club and must be accompanied by a parent/guardian (over 18 years). Memberships are available from Steve's Daybreak, Kilcullen but some will be available on the day from committee members.

All legal methods of fishing are allowed. This is the first competition we have had in a long time and all support would be greatly appreciated.

Some tickets available for Friday country concert

For those who missed the last great country music night in March with Tony Kerr and his international award winning band, along with local band Just 2, there's another opportunity on Friday night.

Doors at the Town Hall Theatre open at 7pm and the show will start at 8pm sharp.

Tickets available still at €15. The last one was a sellout. Get them from Tommy Lawlor or Carmel Aspell.

Abbeyfolk to play for KWWSPCA

A Trad music night in aid of the Kildare & West Wicklow SPCA will be held on Friday 10 July, with music by Abbeyfolk.

The event is being held in Sarsfields GAA Club in Newbridge, and kicks off at 9.30pm.

Tickets at €10 are available from Sarsfields GAA club; Noah's Ark, Cutlery Rd, Newbridge; or email kwwspca@gmail.com.

All proceeds from the night go directly to the Kildare & West Wicklow SPCA.

Bottles IN the bins, please

This is not the way bottles should be recycled. It's the kind of practice that could result in the withdrawal of the recycling facility we have, thanks to the good offices of Leinster Marts. Shame.

The passing of Fr Raymond O'Donovan OP

The Diary has learned of the death of Rev Fr Raymond O'Donovan OP, of The Dominican Community, Newbridge College, Newbridge.

Many from Kilcullen who attended Newbridge College will remember him. He was in his 90s.

He will be reposing at the Dominican Community Oratory from 3 o'clock on Thursday afternoon, from where removal to the Church will take place at 7pm.

His funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday morning at 11 o'clock, with burial afterwards in St Conleth's Cemetery, Newbridge.

May he rest in peace.

Parish Lotto Draw

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on Tuesday 23rd June 2015 were 2, 13, 17 and 30. There was no Jackpot winner and next week's main prize will be €12,800.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws were Vanessa Clarke (Promoter Vanessa Clarke), Nuala O’Regan (Vivienne Clifford) and Kieran Kehoe (Bella Ryan)

The winners of the Promoters Draws were Fr Niall Mackey and Vivian Clarke, and the winner of the Draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Catherine Mackey.

The Parish thanks all who continue to support the Lotto.

Library painting on the way

Preparatory work has been taking place on the Library and the surrounding wall for a full refresh and painting of the external building, writes Brian Byrne.

One of Kilcullen's excellent public assets, the Library is the former Boys School established in 1925 and is a listed building.

The facility is under the direction of Julie O'Donoghue, and many heritage and other events take place there on a regular basis.

It'll be nice to see it freshened up. It was last refurbished in 2008.