Community Games Athletics

The Community Games County Athletics finals took place in Clongowes Wood College yesterday evening, writes Papillon Rabbitte. In what was a cold and wet night the boys and girls of Kilcullen competed in events over a range of distances in the U8 to U14 age categories.

Tuilelaith Mills finished her race in first place and brought home the gold medal in the Girls U8 60m final, Tiernan Donnelly collected gold in the Boys U8 80m final and Leah Tyrrell ran a great race finishing 2nd and taking the silver in the Girls U12 600m final.

Well done to all the young athletes who performed superbly putting in a huge effort while enduring some tough conditions.

Tuilelaith and Tiernan now go on to represent Kildare at the Community Games National Finals in Abbotstown in August. We wish them both the best of luck!

Summer Camp for kids at Kalbarri

Kalbarri Cookery School is running a Summer Camp from July 4-6 aimed at children aged 6-12 years, writes Brian Byrne.

The sessions will be between 10am-3pm and will include hands-on baking and cooking, with all products available to take home in the evenings.

The participants will learn about, among other things, sourdough, Indian curries, pavlova, chocolate cake, scones, biscuits and meatballs.

Breakfast and lunch is included in the Camp, where those taking part will be guided visually through the cooking process in Siobhan's unique way.

The Kalbarry ethos is bringing people together around the table over a love of all things food. More information from 087 2932501.

Gala Concert for Grangebeg Camphill

A Summer Gala Concert in aid of the Grangebeg Camphill Community will be held in McAuley Place, Naas, on Saturday 8 July.

The event, starting at 8pm, will feature the Gormanstown Choir (above) directed by Dorly O'Sullivan, the Dara Quartet (top), organists Peter Moloney and Ella Fallon (Below), and members of the Grangebeg Camphill Community (bottom pic).

Admission is €15, with concessions €12, and tickets are available from Berneys Chemist, Meitheal in Dunlavin, and Whelans Chemist in Dunlavin.

Barretstown Big Picnic a family fun day

Barretstown is hosting their annual Barretstown Big Picnic, on Saturday 8 July from 11am-5pm and everyone is invited to go along.

Fossett’s Circus will take centre stage on the day and will be performing three live shows at 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm and booking tickets is essential. Tickets for the circus cost €10 for adults and €5 for children. Book tickets online here.

The Big Picnic gives families and supporters the rare opportunity to experience the Barretstown Magic for themselves and see what the camp has to offer. Activities taking place on the day include pony rides, balloon making, face painting, canoeing, bouncy castles, petting farm, crazy golf and much more including competitions and prizes.

The day is free of charge but families are encouraged to donate whatever they can. The Big Picnic is generously sponsored by Brady’s Family Ham and Homebird.

New committee to help save school

A community liaison committee has been established in Brannockstown aimed at helping the village's school and its management to save it from potential closure, writes Brian Byrne. And the committe's first job is to spread the message that the school is not closing down.

This was the result of a public meeting last night which heard forthright views from parents of children still at the school, parents of former pupils, and older members of the community whose families had been involved with Brannoxtown NS in the past.

The meeting was also attended by Monsignor Dan O'Connor from the Diocesan Education Secretariat and its legal advisor Declan Lawlor, as well as Kilcullen parish administrator Fr Niall Mackey. Political representation came from Deputy Martin Heydon and Cllr Rob Power.

Chaired by Gerry O'Donoghue, the meeting was told that up to this week, only 19 pupils were confirmed for the academic year beginning in September, which is down from 86 four years ago. There was anecdotal suggestion that 'five or six' of those might not still be there when the school reopens.

Msgr O'Connor told those present that a school can remain open as long as there are eight pupils on the roll. It can maintain this status for two years, during which time the Department of Education would assess whether demographics and birth rate in the community might sustain it further.

A range of views on what had brought the school to this position were expressed from among those present. These included alleged communication difficulties between parents and the school management, and worries that reduced numbers would mean a lack of socialisation opportunities for remaining pupils — a particular issue for those in higher classes who would soon be moving on to second level.

Some parents who had themselves come through small school education noted that it had been a positive experience — sentiments echoed by Gerry O'Donoghue, himself a retired national school teacher and principal. But others said a school that might have just eight or 12 pupils just wouldn't work for what their children needed.

Others at the meeting recalled how the drift in numbers had been happening for several years. Suggestions to management that there should be 'exit interviews' with parents who were taking out their children had not, apparently, been acted on.

Deputy Heydon reluctantly likened the situation to a 'run on a bank', where parents were trying to protect their children's education by deciding to move from a shrinking school. "It's a dreadful situation," he said. "Things are at a critical point, and a liaison committee to me seems like a good idea, so we can face into the summer and fix this."

Cllr Power, who serves on the BOM of a school in Naas, said he was also prepared to help the proposed committee in any way.

A member of the audience noted that the school management would have to recognise and accept the liaison committee. A former member of the school's Parent Teacher Association noted that a number of the fundamental issues had been identified three years ago and communicated to management.

Former members of the Board of Management said they had felt 'hamstrung' by BOM and teachers' union rules when they made suggestions.

It was noted that the current Board of Management would no longer be able to function from the end of this week, because parent and community nominees would not have children at the school. A quorum would therefore not be achievable.

Gerry O'Donoghue told the meeting that the school Patron can appoint a single manager to a school, who could liaise with parents, principal, and any liaison committee.

"We're down to the wire now," he added. "But there's an awful lot of goodwill in the community for the school, a lot of good things happen there."

Nine people volunteered for the new liaison committee, and a resolution was unanimously passed by the meeting that the community 'very much supports the school, and wants to see it continue'.

Brannoxtown NS 'cannot close' — Board

The Board of Management of Brannoxtown NS say there are no plans to close the school, writes Brian Byrne.

In a statement the Board says the School cannot close because it is community-based and serves local primary education needs, has modern facilities and resources and a committed staff, and is a local resource that 'families would be driving past to go to other schools'.

On behalf of the Board, Principal Dolores Burke also noted that the Whole School Evaluation in 2016 reported that ‘the teaching in the school was of a high standard, that the teaching of children with special needs was of a high standard’ that the Board of Management was ‘commended on maintaining and improving this very well-resourced school’.

On the low numbers which have caused the current situation, the statement says these result from a number of issues, including families moving away or emigrating, families choosing to move their children to schools in their immediate locality, and other reasons including the availability of child-care.

The statement notes that Brannoxtown NS has been a two-teacher school for most of its history, and housing developments in the area did for a time increase numbers. 'This may happen again', it says.

The Board expresses concern that if parents move their children because it is becoming a two-teacher school again, it is a 'Catch 22' situation.

Possible solutions to the matter include families making a conscious decision to send (or keep) their children in Brannoxtown NS. The Board is encouraging local people to persuade others they meet to do likewise.

A new child-care service is planned for the School, and is scheduled to open in September.

A public meeting will take place this evening to discuss the future of the School.

ED NOTE: Pictures from various School Events can be accessed below. They show a variety of happy times at the School.

Brannoxtown NS Opening Day.

Brannoxtown NS Halloween.

All Ireland Ladies GAA Cup at Brannoxtown.

Murphy Surveys staff hear how charity cycle helps

Sarah Joyce from CMRF, the Crumlin Children's Hospital charity, visited the offices of Murphy Surveys in Kilcullen yesterday to speak to the staff about how the company's participation in Murphy Surveys' Cycle for Crumlin Cycle makes such an difference to the lives of the children in the hospital.

Because of everyone who took part and supported the Cycle in 2013, 2015 and 2016 the event has so far raised over €30,000.

The 2017 cycle will take place on Saturday 22 July, with food and activities afterwards at Murphy Surveys Head Office in Kilcullen from 1-3pm.

You can register here.

Parish Lotto Draw

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen and Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on Tuesday 27 June 2017 were 13, 19, 20 and 30.

There was no Jackpot winner and next week's main prize will be €8,600.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws were Mary Foley (Promoter Kathy Flynn), Miriam McDonnell (Miriam McDonnell) and Fia Dunne (Mick Dunne).

The winners of the Promoters Draw were Ger Kelly and Breda McCormack, and the winner of the Draw for those in the Parish Centre in the night was Mick Dunne.

The Parish thanks all those who support the Lotto.

The passing of Carmel McDonnell

The Diary has learned of the death of Carmel McDonnell, of New Abbey, Castlemartin Lodge and formerly of Eyre Street, Newbridge, peacefully at Tallaght Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.

Carmel was predeceased by her father Ned, her mother Mary and brother Desmond. Her death is deeply regretted by her loving brothers Michael, Martin, Ciaran, Brian and David, sisters-in-law Helen, Sheena and Isabelle, Martins partner Walter, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.

She will be reposing at her family home from 5pm on Wednesday evening with prayers at 8.30pm. Following removal on Thursday her funeral will arrive at Mount Jerome Crematorium, Harold's Cross on Thursday at 3.30pm for a Humanist Celebration.

May she rest in peace.

'Attend school future meeting', TD appeals

An appeal for parents of children in Brannoxtown NS and other members of the local community to attend a public meeting tomorrow night on the future of the School has been made by local TD Deputy Martin Heydon, writes Brian Byrne.

He was speaking on KFM Radio where he said he has been approached by parents and the school Principal in recent days expressing concerns about the diminishing numbers in the School.

Deputy Heydon noted that when the new school building was built four years ago, there were 86 pupils and four teachers. With numbers down to 46 at the end of this school term, it is now a 3-teacher school, and staff were told last week that it would be going down to two teachers.

The Deputy said the reduced number of teachers in Brannoxtown NS may be a factor in parents taking the children to other schools, because they don't like the idea of shared classes.

"But if everyone goes in the same direction, that can quickly make a bad situation worse," he said. "The Department doesn't have any intention to close the school, but the reality is that if there are no pupils, there isn't a school."

He added that it is not just a school issue, it is a 'community issue' for the wide hinterland of Brannockstown.

The Public Meeting on the future of the School is in the Baptist Hall tomorrow, Wednesday, at 9pm.

Brannoxtown NS faces 'imminent closure'

A crisis public meeting on the future of Brannoxtown NS will be held on Wednesday next, 28 June, writes Brian Byrne, to try and stop what is described as the possibility of the 'imminent closure' of the school.

The meeting will be in the Baptist Church Hall starting at 9pm, and the Diary has been told that the help of the local community is 'desperately needed' to avoid a closure.

We have been told that 'pupils are not returning' to the school in September. A spokesperson said 'all input' to Wednesday's meeting is 'valid and very welcome', and everyone in the community is urged to attend.

Deputy Martin Heydon is working with all concerned to try and sort out the issue. He told the Diary the current situation is potentially 'disastrous'. "But I want to do everything possible to make sure the school stays open."

A brand new school building was opened (pictured above) in 2013, at which time there were 85 pupils. We now understand that the roll stands at around half that, and there is a real possibility that this will diminish further by September. A number of longtime members of the Board of Management have left in recent times. And staff numbers have also diminished.

The School was originally established in 1855 by the local Baptist Community and became a school in the Kilcullen Catholic Parish in 1922.

More car smash and grab attacks

Following our report at the weekend of three cars being targeted by thieves looking for valuable contents, we've now learned of another incident on the same night, writes Brian Byrne.

UPDATE: There was also a similar theft at St Brigid's Cemetery in Kilcullen yesterday, when a sum of money was taken from a car in which a bag had been left.

A car in the Community Centre car park had its window broken on Friday evening. CCTV examination subsequently showed a black car driving in beside it, and a man getting out to look into the rear of the parked vehicle.

Then the black car — which appears to be a Mercedes-Benz A-Class model sold between 2001-2004 — drives around the other side, when the back window on the other side was smashed.

A bag of no value was taken. But once again the car's owner is put to significant expense and inconvenience to have the window replaced. And the same lesson applies — leave nothing visible in your car that will tempt a smash-and-grab thief.

The whole thing took less than two minutes. The pictures have been given to An Garda.

Tidy Towns remove Hillcrest watering system after warning

A flowers watering system installed at the Hillcrest properties owned by the Comer Group development company has had to be dismantled by Kilcullen Tidy Towns after they were warned against potential 'trespass and criminal damage' by the agent for the owners, writes Brian Byrne.

The watering system for the Kilcullen in Bloom-sponsored hanging baskets on the properties had been put in place after months of correspondence between the two sides, and Kilcullen Community Action/Tidy Towns had understood they had been given permission for the system after the agents informed KCA that they were not in a position to install it themselves. But in an email during the last week they were told to take it down immediately.

Senior property manager at Comer Property Management Kyle Denny said his 'first presumption' was that the Tidy Towns group only required access to water to bring hoses to water the baskets. However, when he noted that a 'system' was what was intended, he visited the property on Tuesday 20 June and saw that pipework had been 'put up without landlord consent'. He also criticised the pipework as 'unsightly', though acknowledging that it had still to be tidied up. The system consisted of a 20mm diameter pipe running along the front of the building with feeds to the relevant hanging baskets. Previous correspondence with the Comer Group was not through Kyle Denny but two other Comer representatives.

"Note that such action is deemed as trespassing and criminal damage," Kyle Denny wrote to Eoin Houlihan of Kilcullen Tidy Towns, adding that the work proposed in the original application — on his understanding that it was for just a ten-week period — was 'excessive, unfeasible, and unjustifiable'. He instructed that the pipework be removed by close of business on Tuesday. KCA chairman Ray Kelly subsequently complied with this demand.

Kyle Denny also said that if the Tidy Towns group still wanted temporary access to a water supply tap at the back of the premises, he is 'prepared to draft written terms and landlord consent'. In relation to the watering system, he says the matter is 'closed'.

The Tidy Towns group point out that the summer flowers period is closer to 20 weeks in a year, and that the watering system, as installed in the rest of the town, is 'an investment in the future'. The group is not seeking any further discussion with the Comer Group on the matter, accepting that it is now closed.

Eoin Houlihan has contacted the businesses trading on the property, informing them of the situation, and noting that KCA will unfortunately have to take down the hanging baskets, 'as it is not feasible for tidy towns volunteers to continue to water the baskets manually' with the threat of 'trespass and criminal damage' in place by the property owner. The businesses have all contributed to the Kilcullen in Bloom programme, the €9,000 cost of which is funded by enterprises across the community, contributions by individual residents, a grant from Kildare County Council, and support from the Curragh Race Course. The most recent donation was €1,000 raised by the pupils and staff at Scoil Bhride NS. A substantial amount of voluntary work is not included in the costing.

All the window boxes and hanging baskets throughout the town use a similar automatic watering system as had been installed at Hillcrest.

The matter is to be discussed at the next meeting of Kilcullen Community Action, with an emphasis on how it will impact on future work in the Hillcrest area, including the Christmas Lights programme.

In addition to the Hillcrest property, the Comer Group also acquired the Market Square development in Kilcullen during recent times. Established more than three decades ago by Brian and Luke Comer from Galway, its property interests are now global, with operational locations in Ireland, the UK, mainland Europe, and the United States.