Market Square grant application submitted

A meeting of the Market Square project committee.

The application for funding for the Market Square Redevelopment project has been submitted to the Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2018, writes Brian Byrne.

It was prepared by Helen Hunt, Senior Executive Officer, Town & Village Rejuvenation, Economic, Community and Cultural Development KCC.

The project is seeking €200,000 in collaboration with Kildare County Council through the scheme, and it is expected the result will be known sometime in July.

The application was accompanied by the recent presentation prepared by Hogarth Urban Design, the public consultation and parking surveys carried out by the KCA Market Square Redevelopment Committee, links to videos, and local media reports on the project.

Kilcullen Diary Policy on Photographs. Kilcullen Diary Privacy Policy.

Celebration ceremony at Scoil Bhride

The recent celebration ceremony at Scoil Bhride was a great success, writes John Molloy of Scoil Bhride.

Pictured above are members of the Green Schools Committee presenting a cheque for €575 to Kilcullen Tidy Towns 'Kilcullen in Bloom' project.

Kildare footballers Mark Hyland of Athy and captain Eoin Doyle of Naas pictured with youngest and oldest pupil in Scoil Bhríde, Kilcullen and Mr Diarmuid O'Connor of the Green Schools Committee.

Kildare Primary Senior Soccer League 2018 Girls Division 1 champions pictured above with their medals and beautiful brand new set of soccer jerseys sponsored by EMS Copiers. Also in picture Ms Michelle O'Driscoll, Mark Hyland (Kildare Senior Footballer) Ian Mc Loughlin (EMS Copiers) and teacher/coach Mr John Molloy.

Kildare Primary Senior Soccer League 2018 Boys Division 1 champions pictured with their medals and beautiful brand new set of soccer jerseys sponsored by Health Services Staffs Credit Union and EMS Copiers. Also in picture from left to right teacher and coach Mr Ronan Elliffe, Ian Mc Loughlin (EMS Copiers) Mark Hyland (Kildare Senior Footballer) Eoin Doyle (Kildare GAA Senior football captain) teachers/coach Mr John Molloy and caretaker and coach Joe Kennedy.

Kildare Primary Cross Country Large Schools Boys team with their Runners Up medals. Also in picture from left to right Ian Mc Loughlin (EMS Copiers) Mark Hyland (Kildare Senior Footballer) Eoin Doyle (Kildare GAA Senior football captain) and teacher/coach Mr Odhran Lloyd.

Kildare Primary Cross Country Large Schools Girls team with their Winners medals. Also in picture are Ian Mc Loughlin (EMS Copiers) Mark Hyland (Kildare Senior Footballer) Eoin Doyle (Kildare GAA Senior football captain) and teacher/coach Mr Odhran Lloyd.

Kildare footballers Mark Hyland and Eoin Doyle being interviewed by 6th class pupils and members of victorious soccer teams.

Kilcullen Diary Policy on Photographs. Kilcullen Diary Privacy Policy.

Dance Intensive next week

Our Summer Dance Intensive will take place takes next Wednesday 4 July, writes Robyn Curran of Freestyle Forever Dance Kilcullen.

The event runs from 10am-1.30pm in Kilcullen Community Centre and is open to both existing students and new students who want to try out a fun day of dance in Kilcullen.

We have 11 dancers already booked in, so if you want a place text 083 4554609 or send us a PM.

The cost is €20 for the day with a performance for parents at the end.

Dance timetable on the day: 10-11: Slowdance/lyrical; 11-12: Freestyle/Acro; 12-1: Hip hop; 1-1.15: Break; 1.15-1.30: performance.

For more info check out our Freestyle Forever Kilcullen or Dance Republic Carlow FB pages.

Kilcullen classes will continue every Tuesday throughout the summer.

Kilcullen Diary Policy on Photographs. Kilcullen Diary Privacy Policy.

Old Kilcullen Cemetery Mass this evening

A reminder that the Annual Cemetery Mass and Blessing of the Graves at Old Kilcullen will be held this evening, Friday 29 June, writes Brian Byrne.

The celebration begins at 7.30pm, and all are welcome, especially those who have family buried in Old Kilcullen.

The mass is held in the ruins of the old church beside the tower, which was itself damaged in the 1798 rebellion.

The churchyard is the site of a monastery founded by St Patrick in the 5th century.

Kilcullen Diary Policy on Photographs. Kilcullen Diary Privacy Policy.

Employment opportunities in Dunlavin

Vacancies are available for two positions at Dunlavin Nursing Home.

The facility, operated by Silver Stream Healthcare, is looking for Domestic Staff for Kitchen, Laundry and Cleaning duties.

The nursing home also needs Health Care Assistants, with FETAC Level 5 qualifications.

Anyone interested should send a CV to sbeirne@silverstream.ie, or call 045 406628.

Kilcullen Diary Policy on Photographs. Kilcullen Diary Privacy Policy.

Bikes and the artist

Kilcullen's bike-share scheme has been rolled out this week, with the first unit docked at the old Cross & Passion College gate, writes Brian Byrne.

Not really ... it's actually one of a number of decoratively painted old bicycles which are being placed around the town as part of the Kilcullen in Bloom 2018 exercise.

Thanks for the pic to Fr Niall Mackey.

Kilcullen Diary Policy on Photographs. Kilcullen Diary Privacy Policy.

Council and 'The Leak' conundrum

It's good that work is at last proceeding on fixing 'The Leak', writes Brian Byrne.

But I am presented with a conundrum by the redoubtable Cllr Fiona McLoughlin Healy, who referred to a Kildare County Council tweeted reply to her own representation on the issue.

You can read it for yourself above.

The conundrum for me is why is the Council saying it will be 'investigating the source and cause of the leak in the coming days' when in the earlier part of the tweet it says it has already 'investigated all queries in relation to this leak and reported back to Irish Water that the leak is on private property'?

If it had already 'investigated' thoroughly, why did the Council feel it needed to again?

I know, I'm stating the obvious. You all saw it yourselves.

Kilcullen Diary Policy on Photographs. Kilcullen Diary Privacy Policy.

Kilcullen in Bloom Garden Competition: change of email and closing date

It has come to our attention that there is a problem with the email provided for the Kilcullen in Bloom garden competition, writes Eoin Houlihan of Kilcullen Community Action.

If you have entered, please resend your entry to kilcullencommunityaction@gmail.com. The closing date for entries has now been extended to 3 July.

The categories this year are Best kept front garden, Best window box or planter, Best kept estate, Best business premises, and Best community grounds.

There are some fantastic prizes to be won thanks to our local sponsors The Garden Shop, Brennans Hardware and Markus Landscaping. Judging will take place during July.

To enter, please email kilcullencommunityaction@gmail.com and give your name, telephone number and house/business address for which you are entering into the competition.

Kilcullen Diary Policy on Photographs. Kilcullen Diary Privacy Policy.

More bread-making classes

The next break-making classes in Armelle's Kitchen will be held on 4 and 11 July, writes Brian Byrne.

The hands-on classes are €50 per person, and run from 6.30pm-9.30pm each of the Wednesday evenings.

There are also Cupcake classes scheduled for children, on Monday evenings 9 and 16 July. They cost €30 per participant and run from 2pm-6pm.

And the more comprehensive Baking with Kenny and Armelle course will be on Saturday 21 July, from 9am until 4.30pm. Cost €120.

Book by phoning 045 480697, and gift vouchers are available.

Kilcullen Diary Policy on Photographs. Kilcullen Diary Privacy Policy.

Work on 'The Leak' begins

Ahead of the 'provisional' schedule of Sunday announced by Irish Water yesterday, work has already got under way on the infamous Back Lane water leak, writes Brian Byrne.

These pictures by Fr Niall Mackey show the official activity this morning.

Community pressure 1, Irish Water, 0.

Kilcullen Diary Policy on Photographs. Kilcullen Diary Privacy Policy.

Play about Oscar Wilde's wife

A presentation of the The Secret Fall of Constance Wilde will feature on Sunday next in the Moat Theatre in Naas, writes Brian Byrne.

The performance by the White Feather Theatre Company tells the story of Oscar Wilde's wife and mother of his children, and how the events in his life resulted in her spending the rest of her life trying to achieve some kind of redemption while he sought salvation.

She died unoticed in the aftermath of Oscar's life, and the play deals with her relationship with her husband and his lover, Lord Alfred Douglas, and the most notorious trial in England's history.

The play stars Olga Conway as Constance, Rónán Byrne as Oscar and Ryan O'Donnel as Lord Alfred Douglas.

Ticket prices are €15/€12, phone 045 883030.



Kilcullen Diary Policy on Photographs. Kilcullen Diary Privacy Policy.

New UK headquarters for Murphy Surveys

Kilcullen based Murphy Surveys has opened a new UK headquarters in London, to cope with major growth in its UK operations, writes Brian Byrne.

The move into the new premises on the North Road is a 'significant milestone' for the UK business which was set up 12 years ago with just four employees. "Now with over 90 employees we are one of the biggest survey companies in the UK," says the MD of Murphy Surveys UK Kai Duebbert, commending the hard work, commitment and loyalty of each of them, which has contributed to the business's success.

He said the new HQ is central to a 'thriving hub of activity' in construction, heritage, monitoring and infrastructure projects. "It is from this base that we support our teams in the field and across our satellite offices in Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow, giving us the ability to quickly mobilise to support the requirements of our clients nationwide.”

The parent company, Murphy Surveys Ltd, was established in 1983. Pictured at the opening of the new offices are Murphy Surveys UK Directors, Matthias Gropp, Colin Murphy, and Kai Duebbert.



Kilcullen Diary Policy on Photographs. Kilcullen Diary Privacy Policy.

New poles work will disrupt parking

There will be some disruption to parking in the square over the coming days, writes Noel Clare, as the ESB are removing some old poles and replacing them with newer ones.

Kilcullen Diary Policy on Photographs. Kilcullen Diary Privacy Policy.

Dangerous driving concerns in Kilcullen

Traffic lights in Kilcullen.

Concerns have been raised about dangerous driving in Kilcullen from Nicholastown to the traffic lights, writes Brian Byrne.

A resident who has lived here for 35 years has been in touch about cars 'constantly jumping red lights' at the cross, and also speeding traffic coming in from the Athy Road.

"I have even seen cars overtaking outside the Garda Station," he told the Diary. "It's crazy, someone is going to get killed. I'm afraid to leave my children cross the road."

Our correspondent also notes that the Garda Speed Van is never used on the south end of town.

EDITOR'S NOTE: As someone who regularly walks up and down the town, and often drives it too, I can corroborate the fact that there is regular red-light jumping, especially by traffic coming in from the New Abbey Road. There's also, of course, the long running saga of the traffic lights needing an upgrade to be fit for purpose …


Kilcullen Diary Policy on Photographs. Kilcullen Diary Privacy Policy.

Brannockstown Youth Club summer events next week

Brannockstown Youth Club will hold its Summer Time-Out next week, with three special evenings, writes Brian Byrne.

On Monday there's the 'Blow-Out, described as an evening of crazy games, water baloons and 'lots of general silliness'.

The 'Chill-Out' planned for Wednesday will feature a fire-pot, chilled out games, and music with all who play an instrument invited to bring them.

There's a 'Camp-Out' on Friday where everybody is invited to join the Summer Club team and church families for a camp at the church. Under-16s will need an accompanying adult and a signed consent form, and participants need to bring their own camping gear.

All events begin at 7.30pm.

Kilcullen Diary Policy on Photographs. Kilcullen Diary Privacy Policy.

Pupils help with litter pick

Students and teachers from Scoil Bhride joined with volunteers from Kilcullen Tidy Towns on Wednesday morning to undertake a litter pick.

Judging for the Tidy Towns national competition is imminent.

(Pic: Noel Clare.)

Kilcullen Diary Policy on Photographs. Kilcullen Diary Privacy Policy.