It Says in The Bridge - December 2023

It's Christmas again, how quickly it comes around, especially for our contributors to The Bridge, writes Brian Byrne. It seems only a few months since the last time the Bridge Board published the end of year festive issue.

As always, it is an edition where businesses and community organisations take the opportunity to wish all their supporters a best wishes for the season and upcoming year. But there is space to squeeze in news, views and features, so it is chock-a-block.

The main feature is a look-back at the visit by a Kilcullen group to the town's twin in Normandy, an event in November that finally returned the pre-pandemic visit by people from Saint-Contest to Kilcullen to cement the linking. It seems to have been a very busy and fun few days, and hopefully in future years will see lots more connections between the two communities.

Connections between Kilcullen and Perth are the core of another story, detailing the success of a Gala Ball held in the Australian city to honour the memory of the late Jeremy Burke — more than €71,000 was raised, which goes to support the Perth-based Claddagh Association that helps Irish people in Western Australia in difficult circumstance, and the Kevin Bell Trust which helped bring Jeremy Burke home from Toronto to Kilcullen.

There's news too of McTernans new frontage, which is garnering a lot of positive comment as a big improvement of the streetscape by Mick and Mary Masterson.

A page of congratulations highlights the achievements of other Kilcullen-linked people in recent weeks, including Oliver Jäger, Conor Carty, Christopher Enright, Kayla Reid, and Freya Healy. Congratulations too to Charles Poufong, whose 70th birthday celebrations with friends and family are recorded in this issue. And to the Kilcullen GAA continuing fundraiser initiatives, with the second phase of their Cill Chuillinn Abu Wall officially unveiled by Minister for Sport Thomas Byrne.

More features include a seasonally themed one from the Kilcullen Creative Writers Group whose members recall Christmases in their past. There's a heartfelt thanks for support from the founder of the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund, James Nolan, and the Out and Away column from Noel Clare this time takes a walk along the new Athy Walking Loop made possible by the opening of the town's inner relief road.

From other regulars, John Duffey looks back at the roofing work of a local handyman simply known as Addie, whose expertise meant the Duffey family roof is still to the good after 70 years.

The Christmas spirit in this Bridge is as usual presented by Julie Felsbergs and Fr Gary in their regular separate contributions. Julie's thought is that offering a lonely neighbour some company could be the best Christmas gift in the world, while Fr Gary notes  the blessings of having life, family, and a faith community.

Sean Landers continues his reflection on the work of Jimmy Keogh as a lay missionary in Papua New Guinea, this month detailing how Jimmy came to go there in the first place after emigrating first to Australia. Arguably, Jimmy is the only Kilcullen man to have built a cathedral.

The 20 Questions this month are answered by Tracey O'Dwyer, who reveals a secret wish to employ a chef, and Billy Redmond says this was the year he had one of his dream events realised — twice. Mary Orford, at a time when Kilcullen cinema has been revived, looks back at some of the very earliest 'fillums' shown in the Town Hall. The usual pages from the schools are choc-full of the amazing range of activities that go on in them these days ... education has changed since this writer's time!

Finally, as usual there will be no January Bridge, but the whole thing starts again for February. From my point of view as editor, it's a time to thank everybody involved — the Bridge Board members, the contributors, and most of all, the readers. Happy Christmas and New Year to everyone.

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