Do you remember? - January 2023
Instead of a long look back at the year passed, as we have done in previous times, for 2024 the Diary will begin each month with a revisit to that month in 2023, as a reminder of highlight happenings, writes Brian Byrne. So this was last January.
While most of the community was recovering quietly from Christmas and New Year activities, Kilcullen ladies celebrated Nollaig na mBan in Fallons in high style (above). Organised by Michelle Reddy and Paula Phelan, the glamorous event included a fashion show, hair care demonstrations, health and nutrition tips, and food and music. The proceeds were given to KCA.
Having had sell-out success before Christmas with their their 2022 winter run, Kilcullen Drama Group used the new year to provide a two-night reprise of their presentation of For Better, For Worse, Jimmy Keary's farce. As group PRO Vivian Clarke put it, the extra nights were an opportunity for those who missed the pre-Christmas shows to come and see it, "or to miss it again if they prefer!"
More than 150 walkers took part in the Kilcullen GAA MyLife Every Step Counts Challenge, and in tandem there were good turnouts by walkers for the GAA Lights Up weekly walks.
Plans were put in place for Kilcullen events as part of the Brigid 1500 celebrations. Among them was a revival of the custom of 'Brat Bríde', putting a piece of cloth out in the garden or window sill on the night of 31 January — St Brigid's Eve. Brats were handed out to people on the street by Mary Orford and Julie O'Donoghue. A Brigid's Cloak, made by the Suas Knitting Group, was displayed in Nolan's Butchers window.
Work began on the provision of a stretch of footpath linking the entrance to Cnoc na Greine to the existing one along by New Abbey estate on the Kilcullen-Newbridge Road.
Sheila Peacocke celebrated her 90th birthday with family and friends in Fallons, after having had a smaller celebration at home (above) on the day itself.
John Spillane headlined the first sellout 2023 gig of the Red Hot Music Club in Fallons back room, supported by Eadestown musician Willie Headon. A pre-concert chat about whether the Irish are really Celts had the potential to be fascinating, but there was a crowd waiting to be entertained.
A great start to the year for Kilcullen GAA was the granting of planning permission for their 'Field of Dreams' expansion development. That would lead to many fundraising initiatives and a very quick start to the work through following months.
Even in the traditionally quietest month of the year there was lots more, but those few items should bring back memories.
