It Says in The Bridge — September 2021

It's the Bridge after the summer break and we're all getting down to serious stuff, writes Brian Byrne. The lead story is the re-start of work on the Town Design Statement, paused by the pandemic and a hitch in the consultancy arrangements. Orla O'Neill writes about the appointment of new consultants, who are the same ones that have been working on the Market Square development.

Planning for Kilcullen takes up a significant part of this issue, with a four-page special devoted to concerns about current matters — Kilsaran, Dunnstown, and the apartments and nursing home proposal. The special also looks back at housing development in the town 50 years ago, when there was even then today's familiar refrain, 'the present scarcity and high cost of housing ... the unfulfilled yearning of many young people to own a house of their own'.

Concerns around speed limit proposals are highlighted with the reminder that the middle of the month is the deadline for submissions in the local consultation. And still on the traffic subject, the magazine notes that Kildare County Council will give further consideration to dealing with the long-running saga of the traffic lights and the need for a filter.

There's a good deal of looking back, as usual, in this Bridge. From a 1999 issue there's a re-publishing of a profile of the late Paddy Maloney, who built a boat to give his children something to do on the river and in so doing began Kilcullen Canoe Club.  Mary Orford delves into a tale of how a 'gossoon from Kilcullen' helped St Bridget to gain dominion of Kildare. And there's also a more recent recollection of how the Locker Lounge was invented in Kilcullen in the 1960s. Meanwhile, Sean Landers is on the hunt for a Lost Lady from the 18th century, and Dr Michael O'Connell models his imagination of Old Kilcullen and New Abbey in their far past.

In the Kilcullen of today we have a report on the sleek new look at Nichola Kennedy Optometrist 15 years after she set up the business. There are photos and a note on Pat Lynch celebrating his 96th birthday, and similarly the Picnic on the Green organised by Old Kilcullen residents. The main feature this month takes a sweet direction, with an update on the community beehives and the harvesting of the first honey from them, all part of the Biodiversity Action Plan which is progressing nicely.

The KCA report looks back on a summer of good work by volunteers and workers. In her Spirit in the Bridge, Julie Dunlop muses on Christian hospitality and not only inviting friends to a party. Noel Clare visits Glen Ding Woods and its Viking origin Rath Turtle.

There are no school reports this month, as they are only back in recent days. But sport is represented by Kilcullen GAA Juveniles and the always reliable Pitch and Putt Club.

And there's more, of course. Get your September Bridge from today in the usual outlets.

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