Kilcullen in Bloom launched
The project was officially launched by Tracy Piggott (pictured above with the event organiser Eoin Houlihan and young guests Grace Sheridan and Katelyn Kealy), to a large group of people representing tidy towns, local business, and community groups.
Eoin Houlihan of Kilcullen Tidy Towns paid tribute to the group who had built up the programme over the years, noting especially 'Kieran Forde and his merry band' who had put up the window boxes themselves for many years. He also reminded those present of the financial contribution made by businessman Brian Fallon to kick-start the project in its first year.
He got in a message too about the Kilcullen Tidy Towns effort itself. "It is the volunteers of KCA/Kilcullen Tidy Towns who work on weekends and in mid-week to help keep the litter cleared, and make Kilcullen a nice place to live, work, and visit," he said.
The project has over the years developed into something much bigger, and this year there are two local contractors involved in preparing and putting up the displays, Jerry Delaney and Markus Landscape and Gardening.
"This year we decided to do something a bit different, and we enlisted the help of local resident and floral design expert Dave Clancy to choose and style the displays theme," Eoin continued, and then thanked all the local businesses, residents, and Kildare County Council for their support for the project, which this year will cost a total of €7,500. "There has been huge support over the years, and this year we have new contributions in, such as the Curragh Race Course which is sponsoring new flower beds at the entrances to the town."
He also noted the recent work of Martin Sheridan and Markus Pedersen in planting a new wild-flower area along the new path to Lui na Greine. "That will become a 'wow' factor as you come in from Naas."
A new Front Garden Competition which is to be part of Kilcullen in Bloom is being supported by prizes from Kilcullen Garden Shop — which provided decorative plants for the launch evening — Markus Landscape, and Brennans Hardware. "We're broadening the programme to involve more people in the community and making Kilcullen even better than what it already is."
Officially launching the event, Tracy Piggott recalled that she has been in Kilcullen for 20 years now, 'and I couldn't imagine a nicer place to live in'. "I always remember even before I lived here, when I worked in Gilltown back in the 80s, the beautiful flowers in Brannockstown. So I think this is a marvellous idea."
Tracy also took the opportunity to wish the new proprietor of the River Cafe, Paul Treacy, the best of luck with the enterprise, which he only took over this week.
All the pictures from the evening can be seen here.
