Parish Lotto Draw results

The numbers drawn in the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish Lotto Draw held on 31 May 2022 were 5, 7, 8 and 16. 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 €17,400.

The winners of the €50 Open Draws were Lena Farrell (Promoter Dominic Farrell), Sally Germaine (Berney's Chemist) and Elaine Byrne (May Coyne). The winners of the Promoters Draw were PJ Lydon and Kilcullen Credit Union.

The Parish thanks all who support the Lotto.

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AFC gets Sports Grant after appeal

Kilcullen AFC's Greg Curran, and Minister Martin Heydon.

Kilcullen AFC has received a grant of €44,729 towards the development of a grass pitch, writes Brian Byrne.

The club is one of five sports clubs in Kildare which have shared €308,000 in Sports Capital Grant aid following appeals against being excluded under the 2020 round announced last February.

The news has been welcomed by Minister Martin Heydon, who worked with Greg Curran and his officers at the Kilcullen Club through the appeals process.

"“It can be very disappointing for a club and its officials to be excluded from the list of successful applications when Sports Capital Grants are initially announced," he said today, "so this appeals process is a god-send, giving clubs the opportunity to adjust areas of their applications where possible."

The other clubs who successfully got through the appeals were Athy Golf Club, Coill Dubh AFC, Leixlip United AFC, and Suncroft Community Development Ltd.

The Kilcullen Club set out plans last year to turn its one-pitch space on the Kilcullen Community Centre campus into two pitches, to help the club cope with demand for junior player places. There are currently approximately 200 underage members, as well as around 20 Senior players.

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Kilcullen to involve in Brigid 1500

Kilcullen is now on track to develop initiatives for the Brigid 1500 festival which will run from Brigid's Day 2023 through to the same day in 2024, writes Brian Byrne.

A meeting in the Library last evening was well attended and a very informative presentation by Mario Corrigan of Kildare Library Service generated considerable enthusiasm.

The meeting was organised by Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, who said that because there are so many places and institutions in Kilcullen related to Brigid, a 'conversation' on the town's involvement should happen sooner rather than later. "Whatever groups want to get involved, they need to start talking now. It would be a shame if Kilcullen was left out of it."

Mario Corrigan said the project is aimed at celebrating all aspects of Brigid — the saint, the pagan goddess, the wonderful compassionate woman. For any community wishing to celebrate her in the anniversary year of her death, it can be done in whatever way they want it to be.

Funding for projects will be available through a number of sources, including Kildare County Council and Creative Ireland, the meeting heard.

The Council and the County Kildare Decade of Commemorations Committee commissioned Abarta Heritage to produce a reference report for the project, which will be available to stakeholders, communities and organisations to facilitate the development of ideas for Brigid 1500. "This document is a key to the door," Mario Corrigan said. "But this can be whatever you want it to be, and don't let the report cramp your creativity."

He said it was important that a community like Kilcullen should have its ideas and plans in place for whenever funding possibilities come up.

He added that Brigid 1500 will be 'really big', and represents an opportunity for a lasting legacy, both in 'bringing Brigid to the world stage' and in attracting visitors to the places in Kildare and Ireland with which she has associations.

He emphasised that the event is not focused solely on any aspect of Brigid, though the anniversary of the death of the saint 1,500 years ago is the starting point for the celebration.

A number of ideas were briefly discussed, including the possibilities of a summer school, music and drama presentations, and events based on fire, wind or water. Mario Corrigan reiterated that 'this can be anything you want it to be, and it can be respectful to all creeds and beliefs."

A Facebook page has been set up as part of the communication programme for the project. A full-time coordinator for the event is being recruited, for a period of three years.

The Kilcullen group decided to meet again before the end of June.

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Weatherday: World War 2 death comes to Dublin

The Volvo Ocean Race finale in Galway (2012).

The bright start will give way to a mix of cloud and sun. More cloud building later, eventually bringing light rain this evening.

Temperatures up to 14deg in light to moderate westerly breeze, veering north-west.

On this day in 1941, German bombs killed 34 people and injured 90 on the North Strand, Dublin.

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Summer sunglasses showcase tomorrow

A reminder that the Summer Sunglasses launch  by Kilcullen Opticians is happening tomorrow, 31 May, where customers can take a view on getting themselves a summer look.

The event kicks off at 12 noon, and will feature a spectacular selection from top makes.

Key names include Ann & Valentin, Mont Blanc, Gucci, Michael Kors, Cocoa Mint, Ray-Ban, and Aspinal of London.

Anyone who can't make it on the day can call 045 484643 for appointment or make one on bookings@kilcullenoptician.com.

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Brigid 1500 public meeting this evening in Kilcullen

A reminder that a Brigid 1500 Public Meeting will be held this evening, Monday30 May, at 6.30pm in Kilcullen Library, writes Tracey O'Dwyer.

As part of the meeting, Mario Corrigan from Kildare County Council will give a presentation regarding Brigid 1500 celebrations. 

St Brigid’s Day is to be celebrated across County Kildare on February 1st 2023 to commemorate the life and legacy of St Brigid, and given the many links that Kilcullen has to her, I am hoping Kilcullen can be part of the celebrations. 

If you would like to be involved come along, all are welcome.

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Around and about ...

A bit of light engineering work under way at the Coffee Hatch at the Community Centre.

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Weatherday: Misogynistic execution

View of the Saltees from Memorial to those Lost at Sea in Kilmore Quay (2022).

A mostly cloudy day. Showers and sunny spells through the afternoon and early evening.

Temperatures up to 13deg in light to moderate westerly breezes.

On this day in 1431, after facing charges of heresy and witchcraft, the French former military leader Joan of Arc was burned at the stake.

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Amazing result from Tennis Club Ukraine fundraiser

The Kilcullen Tennis Club Table Quiz on Friday night raised €1,166 for the Red Cross Ukraine Appeal.

The club has expressed its thanks to everyone who supported the cause and a result that they describe as amazing.

They also thanked O'Connell's Bar for hosting the event, and the local businesses that provided prizes.

These include Pharmacy O’Regan-Moorefield Pharmacy, Brennans Hardware, Marguerite Farragher and Captain Tortue, Cormac Doherty, Woodbine Books, The Yurt, CarveOn , Berneys Pharmacy, Nolans butchers, Turlough, Stina Flowers, and Armelle's Kitchen.

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Take a break with nature in the Library Garden

The Kilcullen Library Community Garden is one of the lesser-known places of tranquility in the town, writes Brian Byrne. 

A Kilcullen Community Action initiative in conjunction with Kildare Library Service, it has seating, shade, a safe space for children, and just now is sprouting into its early summer best. 

Take a break ... maybe read a book, or just chill.

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New Parish Priest for Kilcullen in August

Fr Niall Mackey, appointed to Bray parishes.

Kilcullen is getting a new Parish Priest, Fr Gary Darby, writes Brian Byrne.

Currently Co-Parish Priest in Kilmore West Parish in Dublin, Fr Darby will take up his duties here in early August.

Fr Darby has previously been outspoken about the future of the Catholic church on a range of matters, including women priests, married priesthood, and that the church needed to 'have a discussion' on how it treats divorced and separated people. He has also said that gay people need to be included in the church, and that most young people he knows don't attend mass because they say the church is now irrelevant to them.

Fr Niall Mackey, who has been Parish Administrator in Kilcullen for the last nine years, is moving to Bray, Co Wicklow, as Team Assistant to the Grouping of Bray Parishes.

Giving details of the appointments to mass-goers in Kilcullen this weekend, Fr Mackey thanked parishioners for their support while he was here, and said he will always treasure his time in Kilcullen. 

He said he hadn't looked for a change, and is not retiring — he could have retired five years ago. He will be based at the church of Our Lady Queen of Peace in Vevay Road in Bray.

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A Woodbine date with Ulysses, Alexander the Great ... and the O'Briens

Some readings in Woodbine Books on Saturday 9 July should entertain those who have hesitated to tackle James Joyce's Ulysses but would like to experience a 'remake', writes Brian Byrne.

The event will also feature a lyrical introduction to the pre-Christian warrior, warlord and conqueror Alexander the Great.

And if that all sounds heavy, it certainly won't be. Most likely it'll be a hoot.

The gig features John Maxwell O'Brien and Christine O'Brien. An emeritus professor of History at Queen's College, Connecticut, John's contribution is a novel, Aloysius the Great, about a young alcoholic American professor in England in the swinging sixties, negotiating rebellious students, drugs, sex and academic politics in a parallel way to characters from Ulysses.

John is also a biographer of Alexander the Great — Alexander the Great: The Invisible Enemy — and was the historical advisor to Christine's epic poem Alexander the Great: A Lyrical Biography.

The event starts at 2pm on the day and is worth a space in your diary. The O'Briens have Kilcullen connections.

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Workshop on children's play

The Kildare Steiner School is hosting a workshop on 'Play and Resilience' on Saturday 11 June, aimed at both children's play leaders and parents, writes Brian Byrne.

It is organised by Bláthú, the Steiner Early Childhood Association and will be led by Ulrike Farnleitner, the Association's National Development Officer, an Early Childhood trainer and mentor. 

The workshop is suitable for is suitable for those who want to learn more about how to encourage real play with their children in a warm and wholesome way. Practitioners will receive a CPD certificate.

The event will run from 10am-4.30pm and costs €35-€55. Bookings at Eventbrite here. 

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Have you lost your kitten near Carnalway?

This little kitten was found near Carnalway Cross last evening. It's about five weeks old. The owner can contact Michelle Maloney on Facebook. 

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Weatherday: Hey, Irving, you got a song for me?

Old and new barbed wires (2022).

Mostly dry with varying cloud and sunny spells.

Temperatures up to 15deg in light to moderate breezes from the north east.

On this day in 1942, Bing Crosby recorded Irving Berlin's song 'White Christmas'. It would become the best selling single of all time and a staple of Christmas popular music.

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DP making shapes in The Square, Cnoc na Greine

Welcome to No.12. Tucked away in this quiet cul-de-sac, is where you will find this very special 4-bedroom home for sale. Presented in show-house condition throughout, we can truly say that it is "ready to walk in and hang up your hat". 

This fabulous property has been constantly upgraded by its house-proud owners throughout the years and features a recently-fitted luxury kitchen, which is open plan to lounge, three stylishly upgraded bathrooms and a wonderful large landscaped rear garden, to name but a few. 

The accommodation extends to c.147 sq mt and is laid out over three floors and boasts a large utility room, two master bedrooms (one with en-suite) and two reception rooms. An impressive B3 energy rating has been achieved and the heating is remotely controlled via the 'Hive' app, all complemented by an exterior electric vehicle charge wiring to front. 

Cnoc Na Greine is just a short walk to both primary and secondary schools and just a 3-minute drive to M9/M7. We firmly believe that this is one of the most exceptional homes to be offered for sale in recent times and early viewing strongly advised. A True Gem!

AMV €325,000. Viewings are starting next week. Call Dowling Property on 045 482189. www.dowlingproperty.ie.

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