It Says in The Bridge: October 2022

This month’s issue has a strong focus on making plans, plans that will improve Kilcullen in many ways when they come to fruition, writes Brian Byrne. The lead story is about the recent third and last local public consultation on the Kilcullen Design Statement, headlined as being 'on track for delivery' by the end of autumn.

The other plan makes the colour centre spread, the much talked about recently 'Field of Dreams' which Kilcullen GAA is preparing. The story provides details which were shown off at a reveal in the recently refreshed clubhouse, with pictures of many who attended the event. In the 'Talking Point' comment, we highlight how the common denominator to all plans are the people who dream them, devise them, and implement them, in these particular instances for the good of all in the community.

Plans made by a pair of local entrepreneurs continue to blossom into achievement, referenced in a feature about Faerly.ie, founded by James Byrne and Eoin Houlihan winning the overall prize in the recent Irish eCommerce Awards 2022. The online enterprise has only been up and running for two years, and gives many other small Irish eco-friendly businesses an important space for product awareness and sales.

The continuing success of the Mac & Norman Vintage Run is also given prominence — and if you want to be a part of this evening's handing over of the latest cheque to the Irish Cancer Society, it's in Walls of Kilgowan from 8pm, with music and a raffle for those who want to give some last-minute support.

The second part of Olympian Brendan O'Connell's 'Road to Munich' is recounted this month by Noel Clare, where we get a view of just how challenging the way to the Olympics was even back in 1972. And we see that to mark the 50th anniversary of the tragedy that unfolded for the Israeli team that year, Brendan travelled back there last month.

A bit of local travel upcoming to raise money for Maintain Hope is given a backgrounder — the climb to the top of Lugnaquilla mountain in Wicklow takes place next month. Out and Away from Kilcullen this month visits Shankhill Castle in Paulstown in Co Kilkenny where Noel Clare had a chat with the Cope family owners as well as checking out the grounds and gardens.

In his new monthly 'A Word', Fr Gary has a thought about God finding it very hard to 'give away God' and his gifts of love, compassion and hospitality in an era where religion is seen as laws, regulations and duties. The regular spiritual offering from Julie Felsbergs muses on the lessons for all of us from a recent encounter observed between her dog and a frog.

In the other regulars slots, Cliona Kelliher's efforts to have us live more sustainably encourage us this month to do so in Halloween festivity terms. Cliona is also the co-author of another piece, with Sandra Santos, on asking for a 're-think' on autism and ADHD. There's a lot of positivity in something that is generally observed as a negative, they suggest.

Billy Redmond goes Off the Cuff on some of his favourite books and he has some hindsight words on the legacy of the late Fidel Castro — that he should have spent more time making things better for his people than trying to export his ideology to far flung places.

Mary Orford's interest this month is very close to her own home, giving us some detail about the noble family record of her Rogan relations, itself a story of far flung places travelled to by the several religious, including a bishop, of that family. John Duffey is reflecting on a religious man too, Cardinal Paul Cullen and his local connections, including laying the foundation stone of Kilcullen Parish Church which is celebrating its 150th anniversary next month.

Sean Landers is also on the memory trail, this time with the first of two articles based on talking to Maurice Baxter. One for the real people heritage interest.

The schools are out in force, notably the Great Egg Drop Experiment (is that an Eggsperiment?) in Brannoxtown CNS, success in the soccer leagues by Scoil Bhride pupils, and some tasty science projects from St Joseph's Halverstown.

There's more, of course, but go spend that €2 and find out for yourself.

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