Kilcullen committee to celebrate Brigid 1500

St Brigid's Well in The Valley, and Tracey O'Dwyer.

A call for Kilcullen to get involved in next year's inaugural St Brigid's Day and celebrate the 1,500th anniversary of the iconic Kildare saint has been made by Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, writes Brian Byrne.

"St Brigid’s Day is to be celebrated across County Kildare on February 1st 2023 to commemorate the life and legacy of St Brigid," Cllr O'Dwyer says. "And given the many links that Kilcullen has to St Brigid, I am hoping with the assistance of many local community groups to identify ways and possible events for the locality to celebrate St Brigid’s day." 

The councillor believes St Brigid’s Day has the potential to become as significant as St Patrick’s Day and it would be great for Kilcullen to benefit from the many possibilities this holiday could present.

"We will be establishing a Brigid 1500 Committee to help pull it all together and a meeting will be arranged for May 2022 in the Town Hall Kilcullen, exact date of meeting to be confirmed at a later time. We will be linking in with local schools, local community groups and local business to ask how they would like to be involved."

Anyone or group who would like to be involved in any way or who have any ideas that could be considered should contact Tracey on 087 6533706 or through email traceyodwyerfg@gmail.com. 

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Brannoxtown CNS Enrolment Webinar tonight

Brannoxtown Community National School is holding an Enrolment Webinar this evening.

The event is a 7.30pm and details are available at www.brannoxtowncns.ie.

Brannoxtown CNS is located 5km from Kilcullen and 10km from Naas. Eircode W91 NY67.

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Has your Springer Spaniel gone AWOL?

This female Springer Spaniel found her way to a family in Kilcullen yesterday. There's no ID, but she is very sociable and was recently groomed. If she is missing from your house, call 087 6609489.

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Eirgrid information meeting at Two Mile House today

An Eirgrid project team will be at Two Mile House GAA today to answer any queries about its proposed grid upgrade from Dunstown Substation to Woodlands Substation in Meath.

The network says the emerging best route option is a 400kV underground cable.

Anyone needing specific information about the project's local section can get it at Two Mile House between 11am-5pm today. Or online here. 

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Weatherday: View from the top

Alice in Wonderland, Central Park NYC (2003).

The sun is back, but in a much chilled down environment. A frosty start will take time to clear, but the skies will be blue this morning. 

A little cloud in the afternoon, and highest temperatures of 7deg locally in a brisk northerly breeze. Cold again tonight. 

On this day in 1889, the Eiffel Tower in Paris was officially opened by its designer, Gustave Eiffel.

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Local woman's fundraiser for Crumlin Children's Hospital

One of the Kilcullen Community First Responders volunteers is taking part in a 100km Challenge in support of the CMRF Crumlin Children's Hospital.

With a target of €300, Laura Begley is already well on her way to her goal.

"Any contribution will make an impact, whether you donate €5 or €500," she says on her challenge page. "You are supporting the essential, urgent and life-saving work that is needed to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of sick children. Together we can give every sick child the very best chance."

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Property: A stone's throw from downtown Kilcullen

Number 26 Bishop Rogan Park

Appleton Property have great pleasure in bringing this lovely end terrace extended three-bedroomed home with side entrance to the market for sale in one of Kilcullen's long-standing highly regarded residential developments. 

Number 26 Bishop Rogan comes to market with many fine features to include extended kitchen, PVC double glazed windows, Oil Fired Central Heating and open fireplace, side entrance, paved rear garden and block built shed. In turnkey condition, viewing is strictly by appointment with sole selling agents Austin Egan MIPAV of Appleton Property – 045 482759, 087 1311133. www.appleton.ie

Full details on Daft.ie.  

Looking for a free Valuation of your Home … give Austin at Appleton Property a call on 087 131 1133 for swift appointment. 

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Geophysical survey of Old Kilcullen in train

A geophysical survey of the Old Kilcullen monastic settlement area is expected to be completed in April and will provide further information on the archaeological heritage of the site, writes Brian Byrne.

The survey will be combined with the results of a Lidar aerial survey of the area carried out last year as part of a survey of the Curragh plains, undertaken for the development of a Consultation Management Plan for the Curragh.

A number of previously undocumented features around Old Kilcullen have been discovered in the Lidar survey, carried out by Earthsound Geophysics on commission from Kildare County Council with funding from the 2021 Community Monuments Grant Scheme.

Kevin Sheehan of the Old Kilcullen Area Community Association says it is hoped that when the two investigations are assessed, an event with experts will be arranged to explain the combined results.

The geophysical survey is funded by Kildare County Council's heritage department. "We are very thankful for the cooperation of the landowners in allowing it to go ahead at such a busy time for farmers," Kevin Sheehan says.

The AGM of the Old Kilcullen Area Community Association will be held on Thursday of next week, 7 April, in Walls of Kilgowan, beginning at 7.30pm.

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Weatherday: Cheap cold land

Pirates' Den sand sculpture, Frankston, Victoria (2017).

A bit of a break in the run of good weather today, with cloudy conditions moving in from the north. Colder than of late, and possibly a few showers in the afternoon. 

Highest temperature 7deg or so in breezes from the northeast that will freshen through the afternoon, easing again during a cold night. 

On this day in 1867, Russia sold Alaska to the United States for around two cents an acre.

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CPC rugby future 'exciting' after boys' win today

Pic and information from CPC Facebook page.

A winning of the Harry Nicholls Cup by CPC First Year boys is a big boost to the future of rugby in CPC.

The tournament took place today in Athy, with participation from schools all over the North Midlands.

After a 12-12 draw with Mountrath Community School and a 12-0 win against St Kevin's Dunlavin, the CPC boys were in the Cup Semi Finals. 

They beat Ardscoil na Tríonóide Athy 19-7 and then smashed through the Final in a 15-0 against St Mary's CBS Portlaoise.

Their performance was commended by all the Leinster coaches present, according to Mr B O'Grady, Physical Education teacher, who said the result has him 'very excited' about the future of rugby at the school.

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Parish Lotto Draw result

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on 29 March 2020 were 4, 7, 24 and 29. There was no Jackpot winner and next week's main prize will again be €18,000. The value of the follow up Draw stands at €15,600.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws were Mary McBride (Promoter The Parish), Elaine Steed (Vanessa Clarke), and Anne Bird (Vanessa Clarke).

The winners of the Promoters Draw were Miriam McDonnell and Ger Hillery, and the winner of the Draw for those in the Parish Centre on the night was Vivian Clarke.

The Parish thanks all who support the Lotto.

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Navy car and trailer sought in Old Kilcullen dumping

Gardai are seeking information about a navy saloon car pulling an Ifor Williams-type  trailer believed to be involved in illegal dumping at Old Kilcullen today.

The dumping involved a large load of trees and branches at around 5.40pm.

If anyone saw anything relevant, or has dash cam footage that might help, they should contact Kilcullen Gardai on 045 481212 or 086 8582822. 

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Kildare Steiner School Open Day

An Open Day is being held at the Kildare Steiner School this coming Saturday, 2 April.

Running from 2pm-4pm, the event will give an opportunity for prospective families to see the school, meet with teachers, and find out more about the Steiner Waldorf approach to education.

Places are limited on the day and bookings can be made by emailing info@kildaresteinerschool.ie or calling 045 401919.

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Blood clinic tomorrow

A blood donation clinic is taking place in Kilcullen tomorrow afternoon, writes Brian Byrne.

The clinic in Scoil Bhride is strictly by appointment, and prospective donors should call 1800 222111 to make one.

The session duration is from 3.45pm until 8pm.

Donors who have had Covid must be fully recovered for 14 days. Donors over 70 must be fully vaccinated and have a current letter from their GP stating their fitness to donate.

Full information is available from the Irish Blood Transfusion Service website. 

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Kilcullen in the March morning sunshine

This early morning photo of Kilcullen was taken yesterday by Benn Claxton, and it really shows off the south end of the town and the bridge. Notable too, from the height of the drone, is the dominant position of Dun Ailinne over the town, and to a lesser extent Old Kilcullen hill on the extreme top left. Benn suggests it was taken 'in the last of the good weather' ... but hopefully not.

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Would you monitor butterflies while you walk?

An invitation to become a Butterfly Recorder is being made by the National Biodiversity Data Centre, writes Brian Byrne.

There are 35 butterfly species in Ireland and  everyone can become involved in monitoring their numbers and habitats.

The NDDC says that people submitting records of butterflies they see on their daily walks can help build high quality scientific data on how they are responding to our changing planet.

Becoming a butterfly monitor involves picking a walk of 1-2km long and registering it with Biodiversity Ireland here.  There are options on this of 26 visits a year, five-visit observations, and also monitoring in your garden. There's also a casual recording option.

Participants can use a butterfly swatch and a poster to learn about butterflies, and the programme also has a smartphone app for recording in the field.

 

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