Over the half-door in Memory Lane

George Warnock asked me to locate this picture for him, as he remembers working in the famous thatched cottage petrol station around 1961, writes Brian Byrne.

There will still be people who remember it, the Hideout Filling Station devised by my dad. It certainly attracted attention as motorists drove north and south from Dublin during that period before bypasses. It was interesting enough for Esso to feature it in an early Irish TV commercial.

My own memories of it, doing shifts for pocket money, was of an extraordinarily uncomfortable place to work in the winter, as the half-door didn’t help much in keeping out the elements.

It was later replaced with a much more modern, and mightily more worker-friendly kiosk. But it did kick off employment opportunities for many youngsters in the village.

This image is from the fine enlargement on the wall of Kilcullen Heritage Centre.

Tea Dance for the Teach TODAY

To celebrate a very successful run of eight weeks of dance lessons, the Teach na nDaoine committee is hosting a Tea Dance to finish off today, Sunday 30 April, in the Assembly Hall of Cross and Passion College, writes Noel Clare.

The event will be from 4pm to 7.30pm and will be a purely social dance (no lessons!) covering modern jive, country jive, waltzing, quick step and line dancing.

Whether you were at any of the lessons over the last eight weeks or not, you are more than welcome to drop along on Sunday. Visitors from outside areas are also expected and will help everybody to make it a most enjoyable afternoon of dancing.

Cost is €10 and refreshments will be provided.

Stunning Æ MAK on Ray D'Arcy Show

Ellie McMahon and Aoife McCann in their Æ MAK band gave a stunning performance on last night's Ray D'Arcy Show on RTE TV.

They sang their debut single 'I Can Feel it in my Bones', and it's nice to know that we heard this talent first in Ellie's home town in Kilcullen.

Nice one, Ellie and fellow musicians.

Is this your dog?

This dog has been wandering around Cnoc na Greine Woods all afternoon. He has a collar and is very friendly. The owner can get further information by calling 086 8222925.

Ellie McMahon on TV tonight

Kilcullen singer Ellie McMahon and her other half in the Æ MAK band Aoife McCann will be performing live on the Ray D’Arcy Show tonight, writes Brian Byrne.

Their alternative pop band will also feature Sean Leonard on guitar, Sean McManamon on bass, Daniel McIntyre on keyboard, Dylan Povey on drums and Peter Kelly on percussion.

The band has previously played at Body & Soul, Electric Picnic, Other Voices, Knockanstockan and Another Love Story. The were named one of the State Faces of 2016 by State Magazine and one of GoldenPlec's Plec Picks 2016.

Their debut EP ‘I Can Feel it In My Bones’ was released in November 2016.

Tune in around 11.30pm if you’re not already watching the show.

Burning the pump

In reference to our query of a couple of weeks ago, about the girl at the pump, we subsequently found out it was Eileen Bolger, writes Brian Byrne.

But the same pump — currently in Kildare County Council care pending its replacement after an accident — was also regularly interesting for another reason … being set on fire.

Every winter the pump would be insulated against freezing by being wrapped in straw. But from time to time, mostly late at night after the pubs closed, an occasional miscreant would set a match to the straw, and the pump would have to be later ‘dressed’ in its winter overcoat all over again.

This time, though, it seems to have happened in daytime. I found the photograph in a family collection, and have had to do a significant fixing job to make it worth showing.

There’s no date, but it is before the modern buildings of CPC were added. And it looks like early spring because there isn’t much growth on the trees in the Convent grounds.

I suspect the boy in short pants, jacket, jumper and tie might well be one of us Byrnes, though that’s not definite. I wonder whose face is just in the left of the pic, and who are the guys on the two motorbikes in the background?

A puzzle from the past … again.

(Obviously, nobody had any idea who set fire to the pump on this occasion, either.)

We're late with this one, but a nice touch nevertheless

With the Punchestown Festival finishing today, we just realised that we never got to put Nichola Kennedy’s window in the postings about the ‘Paint the Town Red’ initiative.

On the basis of ‘better late than never’, here it is. Always a deft and delicate touch in this window, whatever the season or reason.

And if we missed out on any others, apologies.

(And with the emphasis on Ray-Bans, does Nichola know something about the summer that we haven't heard yet?)

Credit Union support for community

A number of local organisations have been given grants by Kildare Credit Union under its Community Outreach Programme, writes Brian Byrne.

We have previously reported on the financing of a defibrillator in the Community Centre under the Programme, and recently further cheques were disbursed by Pat Stafford, manager of the Kilcullen Branch of Kildare Credit Union.

Clockwise from top left, they are Yvonne Carey Tyrell and Donna Hoey and children of Kilcullen Community Games who received a cheque for €280; Kilcullen Canoe Club PRO Diane Brown receiving a cheque for the Club; Emma McEvoy of Kilcullen Community Childcare & Education Centre receiving €1,000; and Liam Walker of Kilcullen Cycling Club with a cheque for €500.

Cricket Club Quiz Night

A Quiz Night to raise funds for Halverstown Cricket Club will be held in O’Connells Bar on Thursday 18 May, writes Brian Byrne.

There’s a promise of a ‘brilliant’ night out in support of a club which has been in existence since 1885. Prizes and a raffle are included.

The usual entry fee of €40 for a table of four. Questions start at 8pm.

Halverstown Cricket Club has its pitch at Harristown, and the season runs from April through September. The Club hosts more than 30 games during the year, including an annual visit from a very special UK team selection, the White City All-Stars.

Tennis Club reopens next week

Eamon O'Toole working on the rebuilding of the Tennis Club.

Kilcullen Tennis Club will officially get back into operation on Saturday 6 May, after being off court for some two decades, writes Brian Byrne.

This will be the culmination of three years’ work by local man Eamon O’Toole, who researched the ownership of the almost-derelict facilities, and then negotiated grant finance from Kilcullen Development Association to restart it.

“We now have €4,000 pledged in membership fees, and €3,000 in corporate support,” he says. “And I have been to a meeting with Naas Tennis Club, so Kilcullen will be entering a team in the local Summer League in July and August this year, the first time in 20 years.”

The two hard courts have been refurbished and relined, and two grass courts are also being developed to cater for what looks to be a strong interest in the revived club.

“We start taking membership fees on 6 May, and I’d advise anyone interested to get in quickly, as I have a feeling we will be over subscribed.”

Charity race jockeys visit local dialysis patient

Jockeys who will be competing in Saturday's annual Punchestown Charity Race visited kidney dialysis patient Padraig Moloney and his wife Liz in Kilcullen on Tuesday evening to see at first hand how important supporting the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund is, writes Brian Byrne.

Padraig and Liz spoke about life on haemo dialysis, and demonstrated the home dialysis unit which he uses. "This gave the jockeys an unbelievable insight into the kind of thing they are helping," says Kilcullen's James Nolan, who set up the race 28 years ago following his own experience as a kidney donor recipient from his sister Catherine.

Pictured above are Padraig Moloney with Punchestown Kidney Research Fund race jockeys Deirdre Hogan, Trudie Smith and Kilcullen's Siobhan O'Sullivan.

A new Renal Ward will be opened in Temple Street Children's Hospital in September of this year, helped by funds raised with the PKRF race. The race is traditionally the final event of the Punchestown Festival Week and this year will have a strong Kildare interest among the 25 jockeys taking part. They include Maria Kelly from Sallins, Richy Walsh from Naas and local favourite Kilcullen’s Siobhan O'Sullivan. All have passed their fitness assessments at RACE in order to be able to participate and all have raised the required €1,250 for PKRF.

The race has raised over €1.4m to date. A variety of projects have been helped by the Fund, including the purchase of a holiday home in Tralee, Co Kerry, specifically for kidney dialysis patients.

The Fund has also sponsored a Newman Scholar at UCD under the stewardship of Dr Bill Watson to research better ways to transport kidneys prior to transplantation.

A Cancer Screening programme for kidney recipients has also been supported, under Dr Gillian Murphy, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin.

An Art Therapy programme for dialysis patients has been funded in both Tallaght and Waterford Hospitals, which provides art lessons for patients while they are receiving treatment.

The Fund has also sponsored transplant recipients to represent Ireland at the World & European Transplant Games.

Support has been provided for the Home Haemo Dialysis Training Unit at Beaumont Hospital, National Transplant Centre, where patients are trained to do their own dialysis in the comfort of their own home.

Through 2016-2017 the PKRF has committed to invest over €275,000 in various kidney related projects, including €150,000 to support the new renal unit at Temple Street Children’s Hospital, and €100,000 for two kidney-related research projects under the guidance of the Irish Nephrology Society.

Support will also be continued for the Art Therapy programme and the Sports programme for Dialysis & Transplant Patients.

As always the PKRF tries to create organ donor awareness through the running of the Charity Race and James Nolan politely asks people to consider carrying an Organ Donor Card. He suggests that people pick one up in any Pharmacy and read the information leaflet inside the card.

“Have a chat about the Donor Card at home and feel free to make your own mind up and let your family know your wishes,” he says. “I was so lucky to receive a kidney transplant from my sister Catherine back in 1987 and I can promise everyone it is the greatest gift I have received in my lifetime. Catherine gave me the Gift of Life when she donated one of her kidneys to me — and 30 years on, both Catherine and I are both very healthy.”

Pictured above in advance of last year’s race are jockeys Jamie Morris, Graham Atkinson from Cork and David O'Neill from Meath with James Nolan, visiting and inspecting the site for the new Renal Ward at Temple Street Children’s Hospital.

The passing of James 'Jim' Cullen

The Diary has learned of the death of Jim Cullen of Narraghmore.

He will be sadly missed by his loving wife Joy, family, neighbours and friends.

Jim is reposing at his residence until 9pm this evening, and removal will take place tomorrow, Thursday morning at 10.30, to arrive at Kilcullen Parish Church for Requiem Mass at 11.

The funeral will take place afterwards to Crookstown Cemetery.

Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, may be made to the Kildare Animal Foundation, for which purpose there will be a donation box in the church.

House private on Thursday morning please.

May he rest in peace.

(Funeral arrangements by PJ Willis.)

KBC’s cracker in Carlow,

Kilcullen’s two Grade 3 Mix Teams contested the South West Knock Out Cup Final in Carlow Lawn Tennis Club and what a cracker it turned out to be, writes Kilcullen Badminton Club PRO Enda O’Neill.

Kilcullen’s Mix A team captained by Owen Wallace had already made the League Final, but hoped to go one better this time and take the cup home. It was going to be a difficult task for the A team as the B team had a four-point advantage.

Mens 1 got the Final under way with Owen and Mick Cass from the A Team taking on the two O’Neills from the B team, Enda and Barry. Owen and Mick won the first set but the O’Neills dug deep and took the second. The third and deciding set was a cracker with both teams fighting hard to win the vital points. In the end Barry and Enda won the deciding set putting KBC’s Mix B team 1-0 up.

Ladies 1 were next on court with the two female O’Neills, Tara and Karen representing the A’s playing Chelsey Cox and Sarah Walshe representing the B’s. Again this game went the distance of three sets with Chelsey and Sarah taking the first set before Tara and Karen composed themselves and took the remaining two sets. Both sides now level 1-1.

Second Ladies graced the court for the third game with Bernie Smyth and super sub Siobhan Willis representing the As and B’s captain Jen Monaghan and Kathrin Logan playing for the Bs. Again the Bs got off to a flying start winning the first set. Bernie and Siobhan showed calmness and control in the remaining two sets giving the As the advantage now ahead 2-1 in games.

The second mens doubles were out next with Ray Dalton and John Mullen playing for the As while the ever dependable B pair were Vincent Coller and Oisin Egan. Oisin and Vincent narrowly beat Ray and John 21-20 in the first set. The second set went Vincent and Oisins way as well and the Bs triumphed taking the game 2-0. The match was tied at 2-2 but importantly the KBC B team had a set advantage going into the mix games.

First mix saw Tara and Mick from the As take on Chelsey and Vincent from the Bs. Tara and Mick played exceptionally and justified why they were mix 1. The beat the brave Chelsey and Vincent in two sets now giving the KBC A team a 3-2 advantage.

Second Mix proved another tough game with Karen and Owen from the As clashing with Kathrin and Enda from the Bs. Kathrin and Enda took the first set in a hard fought close game. The second set proved to be an even closer affair with Kathrin and Enda just pipping it, 21-19 in a nail biting contest taking their game in two sets. The match now stood at 3 all, if Jen and Barry could take their mix in two sets that would cause the shock of the season with Kilcullen Mix B winning the Grade 3 Cup home.

It was the turn of Bernie and Ray to take court for the As against the might of Jen and Bardy for the Bs. This wasn’t going to be an easy ride for Bernie and Ray as the KBC B pair have been undefeated all season in the South West League. Jen and Bardy took their first set in a cracking display of badminton. winning the first set, this strengthened their resolve and they won the second set 21-14 crowning the Grade 3 Kilcullen Mix B team Cup Champions. Well done to our Grade 3 B team on their fantastic win.

Thanks to Lynsey Walshe, David Jackson, Catherine Dalton, Rita Cass, Murt Dunne and Sinead Kelly for travelling down to cheer us all on.

Finally the reason why I love Kilcullen Badminton Club was shown last night with the response from both teams before, during and after the final. Win or lose we all were congratulating and encouraging one another and showing great club spirit. You could even hear the As and Bs shouting “good shot” or “well played” to each other. Watching the games was like “being torn between two lovers” there was elation that your team had won, tinged with sorrow at seeing your club mates and in most cases team mates from other teams loosing their match. On April 25 in Carlow Lawn Tennis Club there was only one Grade 3 Cup winner and that was Kilcullen Badminton Club. Up the Rags!

Also good luck to our two Ladies teams captained by Sinead Kelly and Tara O’Neill who play in the Division 2 and Division 4 Dublin District League Final on Friday 28 April in Baldoyle.

Pictured top are Grade 3 Cup Champions, back row Vincent, Oisin, Enda, Barry and (front) Chelsey, Sarah, Kathrin, and Jen. Below: All the Kilcullen finalists.

A roaring opening to Punchestown

A Kilcullen connection with yesterday’s first day of Punchestown was the Dooley Insurance-sponsored flat race won by trainer Gordon Elliott’s Roaring Bull.

The sponsor company is owned by Kilcullenites Tim and Mary Dooley, who watched jockey Lisa O'Neill guiding the 25/1 Gigginstown House Stud horse home.

Dooley Insurance Group is one of Ireland’s largest independent insurance brokers, who recently celebrated the launch of their new Equine Insurance Division, offering tailored cover to those in the industry. The company operates out of Millenium Park in Naas and is celebrating 60 years in business

Pictured at the handover of the trophy by Tim Dooley’s father Ned is Eddie O’Leary of Gigginstown Stud (in the hat), in the company of Mrs Mary Dooley, her mother Mrs Nuala Healy, Eddie O’Leary’s son Ted, jockey Lisa O’Neill, Tadhg Dooley and his father Tim.

Gospel Choir back on song this weekend

A reminder, before you set your holiday weekend in stone, that the Kilcullen Gospel Choir will be singing at its first Mass of 2017 on Saturday next 29 April, in Kilcullen Parish Church, writes Brian Byrne.

The Choir was founded in 2014 with Phionagh Gibson as Musical Director and from an initial ten people, there are now some 50 regular singers in the group — which means it is currently full.

Under Phionagh's energetic and committed direction, the Choir has become a 'must-have' group at many community and social occasions in Kilcullen.

The members have been particularly appreciated for their singing at the Saturday Vigil Masses in Kilcullen, but have also performed concerts for Christmas, and for fundraising for charities.

Their End of Year Concerts in 2015 and 2016 were sellout events, and the Choir has performed with Rob Strong, Niamh Kavanagh, Paul Hyland and Edel Mackey.

As of February this year, Lorraine Nolan from Newbridge has taken over Musical Director, and the Choir is looking forward to new challenges.