Thursday, December 28, 2017

So, that was 2017 in Kilcullen

It's that time again, when we take a look back through the Diary to find a few highlights from each month, writes Brian Byrne. Given that there were 1,311 stories posted over the last year, it takes a little sifting. But, not necessarily the most important, here's your editor's selection for 2017.

JANUARY

On Nollaig na mBan, three local schoolteachers were remembered, for their encouragement to pupils in their schools to take part in the Irish Folklore Project of the 1930s, writing down the stories told them by their parents and grandparents of events and beliefs of their time. They were Sr Carmel Therese of Kilcullen Convent School, Margaret Duffy of Brannockstown NS (both pictured above), and Margaret Dowling of Ballyshannon NS.

In a year that was to be a pivotal one for him, JB Murphy of Kilcullen Cycling Club won the National Cyclocross Championship in Newcastle, Co Down. The young Athgarvan man would ride in a number of key international events through the year.

The death of Sr Lelia Baker of the Cross & Passion order marked the end of an association with teaching in Kilcullen that lasted from 1941 until her retirement in the late 1980s. She was 73 years a member of the Cross & Passion sisters and in her 97th year at her death.

A photographic exhibition of pictures opened in Kilcullen Library, showing the work of members of the Bridge Camphill Transitional Training Programme through 2016. The theme was Kilcullen businesses, and the display was in effect a snapshot in time of the local shops and their owners and staff.

FEBRUARY

Veterans of Ireland's involvement in the Congo Campaign of the early 1960s got together in Kilcullen Library in the latest of a series of 'Memory Nights'. Contributors included 'Congo Joe' Mallon, Noel Bergin, and members of families of Irish soldiers who had served in the campaign.

A traditional Irish music night in Fallons was something of a home celebration for Michael Landers, who grew up in a house nearby from where he could hear gigs with the likes of Christy Moore, Freddy White and Bagatelle in the same place. Michael has lived for many years in south Clare, and the evening was also a launch for 'Yield up the Night Time', an album made with fellow musicians Mike Butler and Aidan McMahon.

Work got underway early on the KCA-organised summer flowers project, which was to be re-branded as 'Kilcullen in Bloom'. A strong promotional element would include a brochure and a launch night.

Kilcullen GAA decided to celebrate a great 2016 season with a party in Keadeen Hotel. Some 320 people packed the hotel's ballroom in a long to be remembered Night of Celebration.

The Cross & Passion College's U16 Girls Basketball team became All-Ireland champions after beating Cork-based Scoil Mhuire. They had in the previous month won the All-Ireland Cup U16 B against Colaiste Oirall from Monaghan.

MARCH

An educationalist who gave a talk in Kilcullen at the invitation of the Kildare Steiner School suggested that children were not being 'given enough time to be bored'. Christopher Clouder said they were being 'hot-housed' from an early age to do too many things, and had therefore a shorter 'age of wonder'.

Kilcullen had a high-profile representative marching in the New York St Patrick's Day Parade, in the person of then Mayor of Kildare Cllr Ivan Keatley. He was accompanied by Kildare Co Council CEO Peter Carey, and their itinerary included visits to IDA, Enterprise Ireland and Tourism Ireland at Ireland house on Park Avenue. Meantime, back in Kilcullen, the town's own Parade was another big success.

The tenth anniversary of the erection of the Dun Ailinne 'spear' sculpture provided a spectacular presentation of the spring equinox feature of Noel Scullion's piece. The rising sun shines through in a modern version of the Newgrange phenomenon, and for this anniversary there was excellent weather.

A lively presentation of the musical adaptation of John Buchan's 'The 39 Steps' involved virtually everyone in the Transition Year at Cross & Passion College. The producer of what was agreed by everyone who saw it as a 'knockout' performance was Evelyn O'Sullivan of Drama Dynamics and the show was choreographed by Anne O'Connell.

Kilcullen Drama Group provided another tour de force with their presentation of 'The Plough and the Stars' by Sean O'Casey. It was an extensive production with no less than 18 actors on stage and was directed by Mischa Fekete.

APRIL

Kildare County Council joined in on the reclamation of Pinkeen Stream, following an initial clearance of rubbish by local environmentalist Dr Jan Baars. The Council dredged the stream, listed as one of the 24 official tributaries of the River Liffey.

Work began on the substantial refurbishment of The Hideout by the once-iconic pub's new owner, Jonathan Keogh. The first filming of the work for the 'At Your Service' programme series by Francis and John Brennan also took place.

An eight-week run of dancing lessons organised to raise funds for the Teach na nDaoine project was very successful, and finished off with a Tea Dance in the Assembly Hall of CPC. The very popular lessons series included modern jive, country jive, waltzing, quick step and line dancing.

MAY

Kilcullen Tennis Club reopened after decades of inactivity. The restoration of the club has been a project of several years' duration headed by Eamonn O'Toole, who secured grant funding from Kilcullen Development Association and commitments of business sponsorship. The two hard courts were refurbished and it is planned there will be two grass courts.

A repeat of the Bank of Ireland sponsored 'Expo' for its Enterprise Town initiative saw a large range of local businesses and community organisations take part. This year it was extended to include businesses from Ballymore. The moderator of the discussions was TV presenter Daithí Ó Sé, and highlight businesses included Georgina O'Sullivan's Ballymore Inn, Mary O'Brien's VideoDoc, and Kilcullen-based luxury goods manufacturer Carve On.

The 'Kilcullen in Bloom' project was officially launched by local resident and TV sports commentator Tracy Piggott. She's pictured here with project director Eoin Houlihan and two young local children.

A Birdwatch evening was conducted in O'Connells Bar as part of National Biodiversity week. Neil Bourke and Paddy Kennedy of Birdwatch Ireland's Kildare branch noted that there were 40-plus species of birds identified in the area between the Valley Park and the Bridge Community River walk.

Meanwhile, a sign of summer was the sight of a duck and her ten ducklings on the Liffey near the bridge in Kilcullen. The regular wildfowl in the area includes other ducks and a heron, which often attract pedestrians to stop for a few moments as they cross from one side of town to another.

JUNE

Herbie Sheehan celebrated the 50th anniversary of receiving his first pay packet as an employee of Brennans Hardware. He would later retire completely in September.

Kilcullen Cycling Club was presented with a van by sponsor Murphy Surveys to help it provide support to the Club's participation in races across Europe. With Club member JB Murphy taking part in a number of such competitions, it was to prove very useful for the support team headed by Liam and John walker.

A fundraiser to help local young man Jason Conroy with expenses for his summer internship helping people facing the death penalty in the US state of Texas was very well supported. He spent the summer with the Grace Law firm in Houston, which works at getting death sentences mitigated to life.

Kilcullen Lions Club raised €3,500 for the Friends of St Brigid's Hospice with a bag-pack at Marks & Spencers in the Whitewater Shopping Centre and a static cycle challenge outside the shop. Gareth Landy of Kilcullen Community Action was one of those who cycled for the cause.

Old Kilcullen was the focus of a Garda raid on a house which was found to have more than 800 cannabis plants growing there. The grow house was discovered following a fire at the residence.

A Midsummer Garden Party held at La Touche Cottage in Brannockstown brought out both the sunshine and many people to support the event in aid of the World Vision charity. It was hosted by Olive Dunlop, whose late husband Pastor Robert Dunlop was a founder of the Irish branch of the global charity, and the afternoon raised in excess of €2,000.

The refurbishment of a memorial stone in the Valley to the late May Connolly provided the opportunity to remind local people of her commitment to Kilcullen Community Council through the 1970s and 1980s. The refurbishment was carried out by local funeral director PJ Willis free of charge.

The implementation of the 'Kilcullen in Bloom' programme received a small setback when flower baskets erected on Hillcrest shops were ordered to be taken down by the property management company representing the owners, Comer Group. Following negotiations later in the year, issues between KCA and the management company were sorted out, and it is anticipated there will be no difficulties in 2018.

A Community Liaison Committee was established in Brannockstown to try and deal with seriously falling numbers enrolling for the September reopening of Brannoxtown NS. While this was to result in changes to the Board of Management, the moved failed to solve the matter, and when the school reopened it was with just three pupils and a Special Manager in place of the Board.

JULY

Kilcullen Community Action decided to undertake a survey of parking options and usage in the town, following a presentation on proposed redevelopment of the market square to the community and officials of Kildare County Council. It was carried out later in the year with the aid of Transition Year students from CPC.

A concert organised for the market square in aid of Pieta House was stunningly successful, with some 400 people seated for the open-air event. Headliner act Liam O Maonlaoi was accompanied by the Kilcullen Gospel Choir, Roy Thompson, and the Newbridge Three Sopranoes. A short burst of rain failed to dampen spirits during the otherwise balmy evening.

Kilcullen-born singer-songwriter Paul Durney, aka Saoirse Mhor, was back in Kildare from his German home, with his latest CD 'Ghosts of Tomorrow'. It was featured by Clem Ryan on KFM Radio.

The annual Crumlin Cycle fundraiser organised by Murphy Surveys again took place on road routes through the south of the county, raising in excess of €10,000 from sponsorship of the 200 cyclists who took part. More than €40,000 has been raised since the inaugural event three years ago.

A major Farm Safety event was held at Kilcullen Mart, with demonstrations of safety equipment, safe machine handling, and first-hand talks by survivors of farm-based accidents. It was organised by Declan Phelan, IFA regional development officer; and Caroline Farrell of the IFA Farm Family Committee.

Madge Clarke celebrated her 90th birthday with a big family and friends party in Fallons. Pictured above with her children, it was a a seriously good night.

Local women's international rugby player Jenny Murphy was training strongly for the 2017 Women's World Rugby Cup to be played in August in Dublin and Belfast. She was sponsored by Kilcullen-based Ger Dooley's Kildare Bathroom Company

After a number of years absence from the Kilcullen summer calendar, Francis and Mary Shortt opened their extensive and lovingly tended garden to the public for a weekend, in aid of KARE. It was one of the events that celebrated KARE's 50th anniversary.

AUGUST

Seven years after opening her original shop on Main Street, Armelle Soimboing and husband Kenny Rorie moved to a new larger premises across the road. Their wide range of cakes and pastries are also popular at many day markets in the Dublin area. Jane Bonner, pictured above with Armelle, joined the team two years ago.

The annual Mac & Norman Vintage Drive in aid of the Irish Cancer Society included a record number of 77 trucks in a convoy that also had motorbikes, old cars, and tractors of all ages. Once again the event ended at Walls of Kilgowan with music and an auction, the whole day adding to a fund that down the years had brought in some €410,000 for the cause.

The Bridge Camphill Community celebrated 25 years in Kilcullen with an afternoon party for invited colleagues, former and current staff and volunteers, and friends of the Community. Presentations were made to Mary Berney, Annette McCarthy, Anne Hughes and John Martin for the help they had given to the Community over the quarter of a century.

Kilcullen writer Damien Aulsberry had his screenplay 'Sons & Broken Noses' short-listed in a prestigious competition in Florida, in the Neo-Noir category of the Film Noir Shorts Competition of the Humphrey Bogart Film Festival in Miami and Key Largo. He was later to hear that his screenplay won against top professional competition.

Sean and Siobhan Swan once more produced a clutch of cygnets in their Liffeyside nest, reportedly six of them. But by the time we got this picture, they were down to two survivors, and we're very much afraid that even they didn't survive long enough to fly off into their own lives.

An American woman who is a descendant of pugilist Dan Donnelly's family was the latest to come and view the mummified right arm of the fighter. Amy Stammerjohn and her husband Dan visited Kilcullen, and were able to view the arm by appointment with Josephine Byrne, formerly of The Hideout where the limb was on exhibition for decades.

The local event for National Heritage Week was a talk and presentation on heritage 'treasures' collected by Kildare's Library and Arts Service, with Mario Corrigan providing a fascinating insight into them in Kilcullen Library. The collection includes flags, documents, posters and photographs as well as items of military and other equipment.

The inaugural Garden Competition run in conjunction with 'Kilcullen in Bloom' was very successful, with Betty Brown of Sunbury winning the Front Garden category. Hazel and Mick Spencer won the Hanging Baskets category and a special prize was awarded to Mary Maguire for the Garden most likely to leave everyone with a smile on their farce'.

The Kilcullen River Festival came back after taking a break for 2016. This time confined to the market square area and not having the street closed off worked out very well, with a big attendance and a great variety of stalls and entertainments. The music finished up with a much-applauded performance by singer-songwriter Paddy Casey, and the organisers afterwards confirmed that the Festival will be back next year.

Kilcullen GAA officially launched its LipSync Challenge fundraiser, aimed at garnering up to €40,000 from a competition between some 10 teams drawn from members and other organisations and businesses in town. Ending up with a big performance in Killashee Hotel in October, it proved to be an outstanding success both for its fundraising aims, and in entertainment and competitive values.

SEPTEMBER

A trio of judges from the Bank of Ireland sponsored Enterprising Town visited Kilcullen, which had been chosen by Kildare County Council to represent the county in the competition. They were very positive about the presentation and the walkabout they were given. However, when the results were announced in November, Kilcullen didn't figure in the winning places.

Although they were beaten by Naas in the final of the U16 Championship A, they deserved the epithet of 'heroes', the local squad were told by their trainer, Liam Cronin of Kilcullen GAA. The young lads had enjoyed an 'incredible journey' beginning with the Mulhall Cup, the U15 Kildare Division 3 County, and U16 Kildare Division 2 County League.

Locally-resident author Hazel Gaynor held the Kilcullen launch of her fourth novel in the very appropriate surroundings of Woodbine Books, which has recently celebrated its first year in business. 'The Cottingley Secret' is a novelisation of a true story from Hazel's native Yorkshire, when two young cousins faked photographs of fairies which were accepted as true for my decades by very eminent figures in Britain.

An audience which included many children were enthralled during National Culture Night in Kilcullen Library by a presentation on ancient weapons and clothing. It was given by Michael Moylan of 'Irish History Live'.

Although generally a peaceful town of very nice people, constant instances of low-level vandalism through the year were amplified by a very nasty bout of window-smashing at Cross & Passion College. It was probably the worst instance of the activity for 2017, which also included smashing of flower boxes and overturning of refuse bins.

Proving once again that one can live a long and active life in Kilcullen, Mary Fogarty celebrated her 90th birthday with a family party in Walls of The Priory, Kilgowan. She's pictured with her daughters (back) Breda, Josie and Mary, and (front) Phil and Ann.

Jimmy Aspell's annual fundraiser in The Spout for the Irish Cancer Society was another outstanding success, thanks both to the generosity of those who contributed as well as the support from fellow musicians from the area and Dublin's Brush Shiels. Later in the year, a cheque for €35,500 was handed over to the ICS, representing the total gathered since he began the initiative in 2011.

The market square Public Consultation afternoon provided local people with an opportunity to offer their own views and ideas on how the square might be redeveloped to be more than just a car park. A number of local food businesses had stalls on the square and there was also entertainment through the day.

OCTOBER

Kilcullen Livestock Mart celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding with a special sale, which included the sale of a donated bullock in aid of the Friends of St Brigid's Hospice. It was a very successful successful event, bringing together a number of the original founding members of the cooperative.

Kilcullen Relay for Life team raised €4,210 for the Irish Cancer Society for this year's Relay, a doubling of previous results that was largely down to the efforts of Ann Gannon in selling candle bags. Members of the team are pictured with Martin Heydon TD at the event in Punchestown.

The owner of Curragh Lawns Nursing Home, Miriam McDonnell, was presented with a bouquet for her 50 years of work as the Nursing Director of the annual Oblate Pilgrimage to Lourdes. It was given by Frances Clare in Kilcullen. Miriam had already received the inaugural McGonigle Medal from the pilgrimage organisers in special recognition of this outstanding service.

The winner of the now-annual painting presented to the St Vincent de Paul in Kilcullen for raffling was Dr L De Witt of Kilcullen Family Practice. The raffle raised €1,842, and pictured at the presentation are Mary Kelly (SVP), Dr De Witt, Henk Van Zegveld (SVP), John Berney (Berneys Chemists), Ray Ryan (artist) and Bernadette Ryan.

Storm 'Ophelia' inflicted significant damage to the roof of Kilcullen's Parish Church as well as to some of the works at Teach na nDaoine. The church damage will require a major repair job due to get under way in the new year.

More than 800 spectators attended the GAA LipSync Challenge in Kilashee Hotel. The winning team on the night was ‘Handbags & The GladRAGs’ captained by Monica O’Brien.

Nolan’s of Kilcullen had a very successful outing at the Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland National Craft Finals which were held in the K Club, Straffan, winning the National Championship title for their Gluten Free Sausages in the Gluten Free category and finished runner-up with their Reduced Fat Sausages in the Lifestyle Choice category. They also claimed the Championship title for the Best Spiced Beef in Ireland.

NOVEMBER

There was a full house in the Town Hall Theatre for the annual Kilcullen Tidy Towns and Community Awards. In addition to the usual awards, a surprise one was made at the end of the night to KCA chairman Ray Kelly, who goes 'quietly about his work, strimming grass verges, picking litter, or up a ladder making sure the technology behind the watering system for the flowers is working properly', as Evelyn O'Sullivan noted in the citation.

The Board of Kilcullen Community Centre announced the upcoming retirement of PJ Lydon as manager, following 35 years of involvement with the facility. He had been manager since 1989, and during his tenure the Centre was expanded substantially, including the provision of the all-weather pitch, the floodlighting, tarmacking of the car park and more.

A cooperative housing group was established in Kilcullen by a number of residents who want to use the model of a Dublin association to build affordable houses. A further meeting is planned for January to move the project onwards. Pictured are Eliza Dowling, Anthony Shannon, David Campbell, Siobhan Donegan, Sylvisia Stepniak, James Brennan, Clare Kelly and Caoimhe Wall.

After ten years of operation, the organisers of Kilcullen Youth Club decided to cease activities. Inaugurated by Olivia Byrne, and run by her with the help of a corps of volunteer leaders through the decade, the closing was marked by a Christmas Party for all members and past members, and leaders and volunteers.

Plans for parking in lower Kilcullen and a redesign of the entrance to the market square were revealed by Kildare County Council in a plan to be used for local consultation. This follows a number of raisings of parking issues at the Council by members.

A cheque for €500 was presented to Kilcullen Scouts by the local Eurospar, the proceeds of the store's local charity partner initiative. It was accepted by Group Leader Michelle Hourihan, from store manager Derek Walsh.

Proceeds of a debut album by a duo of regular contributors at the Sunday night 'Snug Sessions' in Fallons are going to the Peter McVerry Trust. Deirdre Hegarty and Raymond Magee's album 'Shining Through' includes a number of songs written by Ray.

DECEMBER

The Hideout was officially reopened with a party of guests which was filmed by the RTE TV crew with celebrity hotelier Francis Brennan. The project will be the subject of an episode of 'At Your Service' in the new year.

A GAA legend thrilled the Juvenile players of Kilcullen GAA when Henry Shefflin presented the annual awards to the various teams, including the U13 Girls pictured above.

Kilcullen had its first Christmas Market, in Market Square with stands from local food and crafts businesses and entertainment. It was very successful and is promised a return next year.

A fundraiser to help with the cost of making a short film of Damien Aulsberry's 'Sons & Broken Noses' was held in The Spout and raised €1,342. The evening featured entertainment from Newbridge-based bands Unorthodox Behaviour and Moonlight Drive.

There was a really wonderful evening at the annual Carols by Candlelight performance in the Parish Church, with performances from the Scoil Bhride Choir, Lorraine and Jade Nolan, and the Kilcullen Gospel Choir and Brendan Keeley. The night was in aid of the Market Square Development project.

Brannockstown became a little bit of Bethlehem for an afternoon as the grounds of the Baptist Church became the scene of a market of 2,000 years ago, with those attending raising more than €600 for Barretstown while enjoying the event.

Word of possible changes to the church car parking arrangements and handing over some extra land to an adjoining developer in return for a new house for the priests will likely be a developing story in early 2018.

A sad piece of Christmas news was that of the death of Donal St Leger in New Jersey. A former Kilcullen man who was a regular visitor back home, he had the gift of making friends across the generations so that when the town heard of his unexpected passing, there was a genuine sorrow for local residents of all ages.

Kilcullen was its usual lively self in the run-up to Christmas, with the Lions Club Christmas Collection, performances by the Kilcullen Gospel Choir and other local musicians, and the regular Santa sleigh ride from Bridge Camphill and the An Tearmann bell-ringing, mince pies and mulled wine.

And that's a wrap of a short lookback at the highlights of Kilcullen in 2017, as recorded on the Diary. Another busy year, and I wish you all a very happy and prosperous 2018.