There was a great mix of feelings during last evening's final event of the
Kilcullen 700 celebrations,
writes Brian Byrne.
They were about history, heritage, reflection on Kilcullen past, present and future. There was a sense of accomplishment, and of completion of another phase in the town's 700-year-old existence ... along with the many hundreds of years further back on the original Kilcullen monastic site, on the hill across from the even older mysteries of Dun Ailinne.
The weather was chill but kind, a great evening for a walk through time. Speeches were short, which was appropriate because this was primarily an evening for all of us to consider our own place and space in this, Kilcullen's own continuum.
Christy Howard, chair of the
Old Kilcullen Area Community Association said the event celebrated the history, the people, the culture, and what it is has been like to live in Kilcullen. "
Kilcullen 700 has been an unbelievable success," he said. "We have all been re-educated, and reinvigorated, and encouraged to preserve what we have and enhance our future. We will continue to make Kilcullen a great place to live, to work, and to retire in."
He commended the drive of
Nessa Dunlea, chair of the
Kilcullen 700 Committee, for pushing through the celebrations during the year, and on behalf of OKACA he made a presentation to her.
The local Church of Ireland minister, the Reverend
Tim Wright, said it was great to be standing on a site where Christianity had been proclaimed for many many years. He noted that the imminent lighting of the tower as part of the event was a reminder that Jesus was the 'light of the world'. "As we walk down the road, our lights will guide us. As we live in Kilcullen, our actions will define us. It is my prayer that the light of Kilcullen will continue to shine."
Fr Martin Harte then said a prayer asking that the light of God guide the community through life.
Nessa Dunlea asked
Pat Lynch, a senior member of the Kilcullen community, to officially switch on the lights that would shine on the tower for the duration of the event, representing Kilcullen's past. Then there was a period of silence to allow people to reflect on all those who had passed through Old Kilcullen down the centuries.
The large group which had gathered at Old Kilcullen, an appropriate mix of young and old, new and longtime local inhabitants, then made their way down the hill and into Kilcullen, guided by our local gardai.
At the bridge, the
Kilcullen Gospel Choir entertained, and then
Noel Clare of the
Kilcullen 700 Committee concluded the talking by thanking all those in the community who had helped make the
Kilcullen 700 year so successful and inclusive. He invited two children from one of the new families in Kilcullen,
Ashwika and Alexander Tiwari, to officially switch on new lights set into the bridge, which will be used to highlight special occasions and events in the town in the future.
Those present were then invited to the Heritage Centre for a very welcome cup of tea.
(All the Diary's
photos of the event are here.)
 |
| Pat Lynch, right, with Ashwika and Alexander Tiwari who switched on the new lights on the bridge; with their parents Joanna Suska-Tiwari and Abhishek Tiwari. |
Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy 
